Drunk driver writes 'thank you' letter praising police officer for arresting him

A drunk driver who was caught over the limit has written a 'thank you' letter to the police officer who arrested him saying "he saved me from going down a path I was heading for".

The unnamed driver, 45, was arrested in Upminster, Essex last year after traffic officer PC Martin Gillett arrested him and took him to Romford Police Station.

He sent the letter to Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, praising PC Gillett for doing a "fantastic job".

In the letter, he wrote: "He smelt alcohol on my breath and subsequently breathalysed me, for which I failed.

"I was arrested and taken to Romford Police Station and taken through the procedure on the intoximeter I think that's what it is called, but I would like to say that during this time, even though I had done wrong I was treated with courtesy and respect by all of your officers."

The motorist said he was later charged and after PC Gillett guided him through the procedure, "I shook his hand and thanked him for stopping me that night, and he looked puzzled."

He added: "Your officers do a fantastic job and I think he saved me from going down a path I was heading for, I have learnt a very valuable lesson and will never attempt to combine the 2 again, if I drink I won't drive and if I drive I won't drink."

Speaking to the Romford Recorder, PC Gillett said: "The fact this driver felt compelled to write to the commissioner is heart-warming.

"The chap had been arrested and was ultimately charged. So to receive thanks is very rare indeed."