A former detective sergeant who was caught drink-driving would have been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police if he was still an officer, a misconduct hearing has found.

John Smith, 49, from Downley, was caught drink-driving in Taylors Turn in the village on June 25 this year.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the alcohol limit for drivers is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

Mr Smith had 96 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, Wycombe Magistrates' heard on July 27.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

The former detective sergeant, of West Court, was banned from driving for 24 months, fined £692 and ordered to pay a £69 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

Mr Smith, who was formerly based at the Central West Command Unit, was subject to a misconduct hearing on Thursday, November 26.

He faced allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

The misconduct hearing, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, found the allegation proven as gross misconduct.

Her report reads: "He has admitted that he must have known that he was over the drink drive limit when he chose to drive. The levels of alcohol in his system were very high. He should not have made such a choice, knowing that he was putting members of the public and himself in grave danger.

"I accept that this was a single episode of relatively brief duration. I accept that he was working very hard at a very difficult time for us all in policing."

She added that he previously had "impeccable service" with a "third of his career dedicated to supporting the vulnerable" and he had received a commendation for this work in 2016.

She said: "In drink driving as he did, former DS Smith put himself and the public at risk and broke the law.

"The importance of police officers not drinking and driving is very well known. Former DS Smith has done so, and this has led to a conviction and sentencing as recorded."

If former DS Smith was still a police officer, he would have been dismissed without notice.