Romsey Officer Drunk on Duty Would Have Been Sacked: Hearing

Lauren Payne, 26, worked in the police. Her shift was January 17th, from 7 AM to 5 PM. She didn’t answer her sergeant’s call during that time, as he needed her back at the Andover station.

They found Payne later at Popham Services on the A303 road near Micheldever. She was in a police car, slumped in the driver’s seat. A hearing happened on February 10th about police conduct. It decided Payne would lose her job if she still had it, but she had already resigned from the police.

Payne is on a barred list for five years, placed there by the College of Policing. She broke rules about behavior and work fitness. She pleaded guilty to drink driving on February 4th at Reading Magistrates’ Court. A test showed very high alcohol levels: 123mg per 100ml, while the legal limit is just 35mg.

Payne is out on bail until sentencing, happening on April 1st. Her license is gone already, and the court will decide how long she can’t drive. She had no past crimes, but her being a police officer made it worse, especially since she had been a police officer since March 28, 2024.

The defense lawyer said Payne struggled before, highlighting her issues with substance abuse and mental health problems. Payne went to AA meetings but went through a hard time then, experiencing a breakup and job stress together.

The lawyer asked to delay final sentencing, because Payne planned to enter rehab for nearly a month. A judge was surprised she became an officer, questioning if she was fit to join.

The judge saw her guilty plea and acknowledged she was usually a good person. However, he thinks jail is likely because she used her power wrongly.