Firefighter on driving ban took colleagues to gym in fire engine

A FIREFIGHTER from Notts has pleaded guilty to driving a fire engine while he was disqualified for drink-driving.

Shaun Tindall, 31, of Carter Lane, Mansfield, also admitted driving the fire engine without insurance.

He appeared at Loughborough Magistrates' Court yesterday, where it was revealed that Tindall had driven four fire service colleagues from Melton Fire Station, where they were based, to a gym in Burton Road in the town, at 8.30am on December 3, last year.

He works as a firefighter in Leicestershire, but had been banned from getting behind the wheel after being caught drink-driving.

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Louise Cox, prosecuting, said "All the firefighters were dressed ready to deal with an emergency call.

"While his colleagues went into the gym Tindall stayed in the fire engine with a watch manager in readiness to deal with any emergency calls."

Miss Cox said Tindall told the watch manager that he had been in court the previous month, in November, on a drink-driving charge and was now facing disqualification from driving as a result.

In a voluntary interview with police officers two days later, Tindall admitted he had in fact had been banned from driving for 17 months by the court in Mansfield on November 28.

She said he told officers his job as a firefighter was his livelihood and said he was previously of good character.

In mitigation, Jane Hinds said Tindall had long service as a firefighter and urged magistrates to consider a community punishment.

The court adjourned his case for sentencing yesterday while probation reports are prepared.

Tindall had been convicted of drink-driving at a hearing at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on November 28. He was banned for 17 months and offered a drink-driving rehabilitation course which, if completed, would reduce his ban by 18 weeks. He was also fined £380, ordered to pay a £38 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service launched a disciplinary investigation into the incident.