THE future of a police officer convicted of drink-driving last month will be decided behind closed doors at Cleveland Police.

PC Lee Kirk, of Hatterall Court, Ingleby Barwick, Teesside was fined £430 and banned from driving for 18 months by magistrates in Newton Aycliffe after being convicted of being more than twice over the drink drive limit.

He was pulled over on Blair Avenue, Ingleby Barwick on December 17 and tested positive for having 81 mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - more than twice over the 35mg limit. The 42-year-old was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £43.

PC Kirk is due to face a special case hearing at Cleveland Police headquarters in Middlesbrough next Wednesday to determine his future in the force - but it will be held in private. On the force's website, it said PC Kirk was 'alleged to have breached the standards of professional behaviour, namely discreditable conduct' in connection with the drink-driving conviction.

Theresa May introduced laws as home secretary to 'ensure police disciplinary hearings are held in public' to ensure transparency. Exceptions can be made but the chair of the hearing has to weigh up the public interest against the vulnerability or health of witnesses, victims or the officer, or information relating to sensitive police operations.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "An officer subject to a misconduct hearing has the opportunity to put forward an application for a private hearing. These are carefully assessed against guidance and in this case the determination has been made by the Chair that the hearing will be held in private.