AN OFF-duty police officer is fighting a drink driving charge after a motorist claimed the senior constable smelled of alcohol when he followed him home in his car, a court heard today.
Martin Joseph Baxter, 48, of Kedron has pleaded not guilty to one count of driving under the influence on Webster Rd at Stafford on January 16 this year.
The court heard evidence from Baxter's then-girlfriend who said he took a six-pack of alcoholic cans from her fridge on the day of the alleged offence, and from a staffer of the Edinburgh Castle Hotel who said she served him that day.
But under cross-examination by Baxter's defence lawyer Ruth O'Gorman, the staffer agreed she didn't know if he drove to the hotel.
Motorist Jonathan Faliguerho also gave evidence to the court, and said he had been driving along Webster Rd when Baxter cut him off and "flipped him the bird"
"I actually had to brake quite severely and the seatbelts locked up," he said.
Mr Faliguerho said his girlfriend commented that the driver "must be drunk".
The couple then drove back to their home at the Grange and Baxter followed, the court heard.
"He told me he was an off-duty police officer and showed me his hat," Mr Faliguerho said.
He said Baxter had "glazey" eyes and he could smell alcohol, before he asked the officer if he'd been drinking.
"He answered with a smirk and he said no," Mr Faliguerho said.
After Baxter left, Mr Faliguerho said he phoned the police with Baxter's registration to see if he really was a police officer.
"I didn't want him on the road if he was drunk," he said.
Mr Faliguerho's girlfriend, Claudia Bonny, added she told her partner to keep his distance when they first encountered Baxter on the road because she thought he might be under the influence.
The hearing continues.
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