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A police officer who was found intoxicated in her husband's car has been acquitted of a drink driving offence.

Natalie Hope, 37, of Hoyle Ing, Linthwaite, was found slumped in her husband's grey Skoda by police, around a mile-and-a-half from her home, at about 9.20pm on April 4.

Kirklees Magistrates Court heard today she had drunk around three-quarters of a bottle of gin and was three times over the drink/drive limit.

Mrs Hope pleaded not guilty to being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.

And after a trial at the Huddersfield court she was found not guilty of the offence when magistrates said they believed she did not intend to drive the vehicle.

Prosecutor James Holding said the defendant had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety after she underwent some harrowing experiences in her 16 years as a police family liaison officer, supporting bereaved families.

The court heard the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer had also been upset over the sudden death of her dog.

Giving evidence, her husband, Det Con Anthony Hope, said his wife had left their home at around 5.45pm following a visit from an estate agent.

The court heard she took her husband's car and drove to Aldi in Slaithwaite where she bought a bottle of gin and four cans of lager.

Det Con Hope said he received a call from a work colleague at GMP saying the defendant "sounded really confused and upset", causing him to panic.

He got into her car and began driving around though he admitted: "I didn't have a clue where she was." He returned home, where he found West Yorkshire Police officers waiting. They had received a concern for welfare notice by their GMP colleagues.

Officers located the defendant and Peter Gilmour, representing her, said: "Police found her unconscious with her shoes off and a dog lead under the accelerator pedal."

Addressing the bench he said: "Mrs Hope says she would never have driven the car in that state of intoxication. We say you have no reason to disbelieve them."

Chairman of the bench, Sally Clamp, told the defendant: "Your evidence and your husband's were credible and you were compelling witnesses. You have satisfied us on the balance of probabilities that there was no likelihood that you would have driven the car.

"You are therefore acquitted of this charge."