The court heard Sergeant Clarke immediately told the police officer he did not have a valid driver's licence and that the licence he had in his wallet was not in his real name but was a fake identity. His barrister David Randle told the court the 26-year veteran of the force had not lost his licence nor had it disqualified, nor did he have a history of traffic offences. He obtained a valid licence in 1990 but had not renewed it since. "It relates to filling out a form and paying a licence fee," Mr Randle said. If a person has not held a valid licence for five years, they are deemed to have never held a licence.

Sergeant Clarke, who is attached to the North West Metropolitan Region, was found guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday of "drive with high range PCA" and "never licensed person drive vehicle on road". Magistrate Gary Wilson was shown a detailed psychiatric report on Sergeant Clarke's substantial mental health issues - the contents of which are covered by a non-publication order. Mr Wilson said he was satisfied the report gave some context to why Sergeant Clarke had been drinking heavily and decided to get in a car while heavily intoxicated. Mr Wilson said it was "mind-boggling" that such a senior officer had not had a licence for 25 years, particularly when his duties as an officer included enforcing the road rules. However, the psychiatric report also detailed Sergeant Clarke's work history, which includes periods of time in undercover operations and Mr Wilson said it went some way to explain why he failed to renew his licence for so long.

"The matters that have confronted you in your position as a police officer have been very confronting and disturbing," Mr Wilson said. Crown prosecutor Andrew Charleston said: "He was a detective sergeant, he simply should have known better". Mr Charleston said Sergeant Clarke had "breached the trust the community has placed in him in his role". A spokeswoman for NSW Police said it is a requirement for the driver of a police vehicle to hold a current, valid drivers licence. Further, it is a requirement for officers to have their drivers licenses checked for currency every three months.



Mr Wilson said it was "unfortunate" that the disqualification from holding a licence for nine months would affect Sergeant Clarke's employment as a police officer but it was a mandatory requirement under the law. He also said Sergeant Clarke would be required to undergo the new Alcohol Interlock program for 24 months.

An interlock is an electronic breath testing device connected to the ignition of a vehicle. It prevents the car from starting if alcohol is detected. A spokesman for NSW Police said Sergeant Clarke had been on restricted duties. Following the finalisation of the court process, his employment is now under review, the spokesman said.