Disgraced cop who was pulled over drunk during her force's Christmas drink-drive crackdown told officers 'I'm f***ed' - as she is banned from the roads for her 'reckless actions'

A disgraced ex-policewoman snared during her own force's Christmas drink-drive crackdown has now been banned from the profession.

The 'reckless actions' of former PC Helena Stone could have put innocent people 'at serious risk', a disciplinary panel heard.

And her former chief constable said the case should serve as a 'cautionary tale' to others.

Appearing before magistrates last April, the 30-year-old was banned from driving for 18 months, fined £400 and ordered to pay £120 costs plus a £160 surcharge.

The offence took place in the early hours of Christmas Eve 2022, when Stone was pulled over at 3am in Oldham, Greater Manchester, for driving erratically. She told fellow officers: 'I am f*****'.

Former PC Helena Stone was caught driving while drunk in her force's own Christmas crackdown

Stone told officers who pulled her up in Oldham on Christmas Eve 2022 that she was 'f***ed'

Stone resigned from Greater Manchester Police last September.

But Greater Manchester Chief Constable Stephen Watson ruled her actions amounted to gross misconduct and said she would have been dismissed if still serving. He ordered Stone's name to be added to the College of Policing's barred list.

Mr Watson, presiding over the disciplinary hearing on Friday, said: 'Whilst the outcome in these proceedings are fully justified, the circumstances reflect the waste of potential of a young officer.

'Her fate should serve as a cautionary note to any officer foolish enough to commit a similar offence.'

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Jones, of the Greater Manchester force's Professional Standards Directorate, said his unit aims to 'ensure officers who break the law will not only face criminal proceedings but will also be subject to disciplinary action'.

DCI Jones said: 'Stone admitted her guilt and her reckless actions could have put other road users and members of the public at serious risk on the night she was arrested.

'It was her decision alone to drink and then get behind the wheel.

'Whilst the officer had already resigned from GMP, today's disciplinary outcome now means that the consequence of her action is that she forfeits the privilege of working in law enforcement in the future.'

Sentencing Stone at Liverpool Magistrates' Court last April, District Judge Timothy Boswell told Stone that, as a serving officer, she should 'appreciate the dangers of drink-driving', which put herself and other innocent road users at risk.

Andrew Page, prosecuting, told the court two fellow officers were on patrol when they noticed her Seat Leon car stall.

Moments later, the vehicle was seen 'straddling' lanes and the officers - believing the driver may have consumed alcohol - pulled the vehicle over, the court was told.

Mr Page said Stone immediately identified herself as a serving Greater Manchester officer and told the two: 'I am f*****.'

She was taken to Bury police station and breathalysed and it showed 75 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Stone, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, was stopped as the force was in the middle of its annual festive campaign against boozed-up motorists.

In a publicity campaign, the force warned: 'Greater Manchester Police will NOT tolerate drink and drug-driving.'

It urged revellers to arrange lifts, book taxis or use public transport.

Chris Fallows, defending, said the officer was 'entirely remorseful', adding: 'Perhaps indicative of this, the defendant has stated she would prefer to be waking up in a cell than waking up having to be told that she has injured someone.'

The 30-year-old was banned from driving for 18 months and was fined £400 it was what branded a 'cautionary tale'

He told the court the offending took place when Stone was suffering a litany of personal issues which had caused her 'stress'.

The court heard her woes included buying a house she no longer wanted and an 'ongoing dispute' with builders, causing her 'further anguish'.

She also had a long-running skin condition that caused her 'constant discomfort'.

Meanwhile, Stone's mother had moved in with her after a domestic violence incident involving her father, Mr Fallows said.

He added Stone, of Rochdale, had also been injured in car crash in November 2022 that wasn't her fault - leading to her suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, for which she had required counselling.

Mr Fallows added: 'She seems to have acknowledged the problems in her life at that time and has taken steps to put her on the right track.

'I know that that's an odd thing to say because she's a police officer but she's human and has her own vulnerabilities.'

District Judge Boswell acknowledged the 'significant mitigation' in her case and her 'health and life difficulties', but said others experienced the same difficulties and they could not excuse her drink-driving.