A SENIOR police officer resigned a day before admitting he refused to provide a breath sample after an off-duty car crash.

Chief Inspector Paul Barrett, from Northumbria Police, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving near Chester-le-Street , Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

The 37-year-old, a former inspector at Washington , admitted failing to provide a specimen to Durham Police officers.

Imposing a driving ban on Barrett, the chairman of the bench David Balls said: “Any punishment we give you this morning I feel is a little insignificant with what you have already gone through and what you will continue to go through for some considerable time.

“This was a deliberate act of you failing to provide a breath sample. You had been involved in a collision with a roundabout, so there was an element of bad driving.”

Claire Brinton, prosecuting, said an off-duty officer came across an accident at the Chester Moor roundabout, near Chester-le-Street, shortly after 1am on Sunday, July 29.

She said: “A Honda Civic had gone into the roundabout and there was damage to a tyre. The defendant was the driver. He spoke to police officers at the scene and other officers were called.

“Mr Barrett was asked to provide a roadside breath test because it was suspected he had been drinking. He refused.

While he was at the police station, he refused to provide a specimen of breath.”

Gerry Armstrong, mitigating, presented the bench with several references.

Barrett, of Newbottle, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside , was banned from driving for 20 months, which will be cut to 15 months if he takes a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to pay £210 in a fine and costs.

Northumbria Police confirmed that Barrett, who had been suspended, had resigned.

A spokesman said: “Northumbria Police expect the highest standard of conduct from its officers and members of staff. Where those standards fall short, we will take the most appropriate action.”