A Police Sergeant shot himself in the head at Luton Airport after being caught drink driving.
Sergeant Sean Duigan, 44, had been arrested two days earlier, having given alcohol reading that were more than three times over the legal limit.
An inquest at Ampthill on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, heard the married officer was found on the floor of the gym at the police unit at Luton Airport at 9.45 in the morning of Bank Holiday Monday, May 31, 2021
A Bedfordshire police issue handgun and two bullets were discovered alongside the body of the officer, who had served with the force for 18 years.
The assistant coroner for Bedfordshire Dr Sean Cummins was told concerns for his welfare were raised at 9.15am. Fellow officers found his body in the gym at the airport police unit, which is next to the armoury.
Pathologist Dr Charlotte Randall found he died from a gun shot wound to the back of the head.
On Saturday, May 29, the Sergeant had been arrested for drink driving after his force had received reports of a car being driven dangerously.
Bedfordshire Sergeant Tanveer Hussain said went to Sergeant Duigan’s home in central Bedfordshire. He said: “I could smell intoxicating liquor. His speech was slurred and his eyes glazed. I said I am arrested in for driving while under influence of drink or drugs.”
His wife told him that at 6pm that evening the Sergeant had left home to get painkillers for his bad back.
Sergeant Duigan was taken by Milton Keynes police station, the neighbouring force area, where he gave alcohol breath readings of 124 and 125 – the legal limit is 35. He was later released under investigation.
Sergeant Bruno Canfield said he spoke to Sean Duignan when he was in the cells. He said: “I knew he was going to have struggles and needed ongoing support. There was nothing to suggest he was going to harm himself.”
Inspector James Ravenall said he had spoke it to him for a “good hour.” He said: “We covered a lot of stuff. His dad’s ill health. His bad back, pressure at work and day to day things.
“I did not expect Sean to do anything (harm himself)I was aware of what could happen. He said: “You don’t have to worry about me boss.”
Inquest proceeding
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