A Swansea man has narrowly avoided an immediate prison term after being apprehended by his off‑duty police officer neighbour for driving under the influence of alcohol. Patrick Willey, aged 56 and a resident of Swansea, was stopped while attempting to leave his quiet residential street, following suspicions raised by neighbour and serving police constable Andy Goodhall.
On an otherwise unremarkable afternoon, PC Goodhall—who was not on duty at the time—intervened after learning that Willey, who lived nearby, had consumed alcohol and was preparing to drive. Sensing the risk this could pose to local families and children, Goodhall decided to act without hesitation. He later described the situation as one in which he “could not ignore something like this,” especially given the number of young children who regularly play along their street.
Upon stopping Willey, PC Goodhall administered a roadside breathalyser test, which revealed a startling result: Willey’s breath contained 132 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres — almost four times the legal threshold for driving, which is set at 35 micrograms. PC Goodhall remarked that, in nearly three decades of policing, this was among the highest readings he had encountered.
The matter proceeded swiftly to Swansea Magistrates’ Court the following week, where Willey admitted to the single charge of drink-driving. The magistrates were presented with the details of the offence, including the exceptionally high alcohol reading and Willey’s attempt to operate a vehicle in a residential area.
In sentencing, the court handed Willey a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for a year, meaning he will only serve the sentence if he commits another offence within the next 12 months. In addition to the suspended jail term, Willey was ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge, as is customary in such cases. The magistrate’s decision to suspend the sentence without immediate imprisonment reflects the seriousness of the offence, yet acknowledges mitigating factors such as Willey’s cooperation and his lack of previous convictions.
Reflecting on the incident, PC Goodhall emphasised that the well-being of his local community was at the forefront of his decision to step in, saying, “I’m just grateful that I was there, and able to pull him over before anything tragic occurred. The consequences could have been devastating had he continued to drive.”
This case has also prompted reflection within South Wales Police. Inspector Rob Blunt praised PC Goodhall’s integrity and quick thinking, noting, “Police officers are never truly off-duty. PC Goodhall’s commitment to public safety, even in his own neighbourhood, exemplifies the dedication and courage we expect of our officers every day.” Blunt reaffirmed the force’s resolve to tackle drink-driving and protect communities across Swansea and beyond.
Drink-driving continues to be one of the primary causes of serious road collisions throughout Wales. Police forces regularly stress the life‑threatening consequences that can arise when individuals get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
Community leaders and road safety advocates have reiterated calls for vigilance and personal responsibility as cases like Willey’s remind the public of the persistent dangers of drink-driving. The swift action by an off‑duty officer in this case prevented what could have been a far worse outcome, reinforcing the message that public safety is a collective duty — one that extends beyond the boundaries of official working hours.
As campaigns against drink-driving continue across the region, authorities urge locals to report any suspicion of impaired driving to the police, reminding all that safeguarding the community is a responsibility shared by every citizen.