Drunk in Charge - 12 month ban

[Matt86]

Hi Guys

I'm new to this forum and I'm currently applying to be a pilot. I have the formal interview in the next few days and I'm starting to think there is no point in turning up.

In April 2008 I was found sleeping in my car (not driving) when drunk, breathalysed and taken to court. I was then banned from driving for 12 months and fined £250. I believed that the conviction was spent as the ban is now over and I thought I could apply. Is this the case or is it actually 5 years because of the fine?

If it is not spent and "drunk in charge" is a criminal offence is there any point in continuing? Should I mention it at the interview, will they just say a definite no?

Thanks for your help

Matt

 

[TDJ]

Your conviction is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and is on your (civ) premanent record for 5 years. As you will have received admin action for your court appearance and subsequent guilty finding and sentance, that admin action will then stay on your ACOS Manning dossier for 5 years and should stay on your unit P1 file for 1-2 years (dependiong on what you received either Formal Warning or Formal Interview).

If by pilot you mean RAF Pilot, then it may be difficult to argue why they should commission you as you have a criminal record, irrespective of the circumstances. However, I am unsure if this bars you from OASC - I am sure your OC PSF will be able to advise, probably by contacting OASC at Cranwell. If it doesnt, and you have spent time preparing for the interview then go - it will give you practice at the very least, or you may just be lucky and convince them that is was far less serious and you were just unlucky (perhaps an aboration of judgement that you have learnt from and will never repeat).

If civ pilot, then I have no idea, other than they will ask if you have any convictions that are not spent - your choice if you decide to lie but they will probably find out.

 

[Matt86]

Hi, Thanks for your quick reply. It was an RAF pilot I was applying for.

I now have no idea whether it is worth going, knowing that it is not spent. Surely that's just an immediate no. If I didn't mention it wouldn't they just find out during the vetting process and then that would be even worse. I've seen other posts saying that you can only apply if the conviction is spent.

It just sucks that sleeping in a car whilst drunk is the exactly the same as driving it. I had no intention of ever driving it, I just needed somewhere to sleep.

 

[RAF Bird]

Hi, Thanks for your quick reply. It was an RAF pilot I was applying for.

I now have no idea whether it is worth going, knowing that it is not spent. Surely that's just an immediate no. If I didn't mention it wouldn't they just find out during the vetting process and then that would be even worse. I've seen other posts saying that you can only apply if the conviction is spent.

It just sucks that sleeping in a car whilst drunk is the exactly the same as driving it. I had no intention of ever driving it, I just needed somewhere to sleep.

Are you currently service or civilian???

If service speak to OASC either yourself or via your chief clerk and get them to clarify if you are still able to attend.

If you are civilian then speak to your AFCO and they will tell you where to go from here.

DO NOT LIE!! If you are found out it will mean the end of the road for you with your application. Either way isn't there some paperwork that you have had to fill in at the AFCO with reference to your convictions whether they are spent or not???

 

[Matt86]

Hey, cheers for your reply's. I've rung my local AFCO and told them the situation. They think it will be a bar from entry but they are going to call me back to confirm.

 

[busby1971]

Speak to CAB

Speak to CAB

Fines normally carry a 5 year ROA period, however, I would recommend contacting your local Citizens Advice Office.

Witholding an unspent conviction would probably be seen as being dishonest and would get pinged up on any background check.

 

[tridgway]

Hi

Just though you might like to know, in 2008 I was fined by the courts for failing to report an accident within 24 hours which resulted in 5 points and a £150 fine. I told the RAF when applying and the kind corporal applied for a waiver and it was succesful. I was applying for an Airman and not aircrew or an officer.
Hope this is some help