A television Home Office forensic pathologist, who has investigated some of the UK’s most notorious deaths, was caught drink-driving after he consumed more than a bottle of wine the night before.
Dr Olaf Biedrzycki, 50, was stopped by police because his wife informed them of his vehicle’s registration details, saying his behaviour had seemed ‘off’ that morning.
He appeared at Staines Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to driving his red MG3 hatchback in Guildford on November 28 with excess alcohol in his breath.
Dr Biedrzycki gave a reading of 68 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.
He was fined £500, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £200 victim surcharge and was disqualified from driving for sixteen months.
The pathologist, who appeared on the BBC‘s documentary series ‘Death Unexplained’, has since been axed by the Home Office and now fears for his career.
The court heard the father-of-three was caught just after he left his £1.7million detached five-bedroom family home in Thames Ditton, Surrey.
Prosecutor Rabbi Khan said: ‘A member of the public had called the police, in this case the wife of the defendant, and he was seen driving at 14mph in a 30mph zone, drifting towards the near side.
‘He told the police officers he had a few drinks the previous evening and was arrested after failing a road-side breath-test.’
Dr Olaf Biedrzycki, 50, (seen leaving court) was stopped by police because his wife informed them of his vehicle’s registration details, saying his behaviour had seemed ‘off’ that morning
Dr Biedrzycki followed his father into forensic pathology and has previously spoken of his love for his role
He has conducted the post-mortem of former footballer Dalian Atkinson, who died after being tasered by police officers, aged forty-eight years-old.
He also investigated the death of Anthony Walgate, 23, who was the first victim of East London gay serial killer Stephen Port.
Other famous cases he has been involved in include the murder of dog walker Julia James, 53, and Lee Pomeroy, 51, who was stabbed to death on a train near Guildford.
Dr Biedrzycki was emotional as he sat in the secure dock during the twenty-minute hearing, which was also attended by his wife and a professional colleague.
His lawyer Corinne Bramwell said: His wife contacted the police and she deeply regrets her over reaction because he was out of sorts that morning.
‘He was stopped because his car was flagged that day, not because of the manner of his driving.’
‘It is devastating for him to find himself in this situation,’ explained Ms Bramwell. ‘It is extremely regrettable that he is here and it is not something that will be repeated.
‘The last two weeks have been incredibly difficult to deal with and Dr Biedrzycki did not sleep for forty-eight hours after his arrest.
‘The impact of a criminal record for this man is devastating. His career is his whole life.
‘He has been suspended from Home Office work and that is fifty per cent of his income and he has referred himself to the General Medical Council (GMC).
Dr Biedrzycki appeared at Staines Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to driving his red MG3 hatchback in Guildford on November 28 with excess alcohol in his breath
‘I hope that it is obvious the ramifications of his behaviour is huge. It is over and above the fine.
‘He has to travel around to perform post-mortems. Often more than one in a day and he understands that a driving disqualification is a reality.
‘He has had a good income and that has now been cut in half and is at risk because the GMC have the option of suspension or erasure for five years.
‘Having been told he has high blood pressure he lost three stone in weight and was taking medication and not consuming any alcohol,’ said Ms Bramwell.
‘He started drinking when his wife was out and had not drank in months. He drank over a bottle of wine and went to bed and got up early.
‘There are many mitigating factors. He is a person of good character, with an exceptional background.
‘Taking into account the devastating impact this is having I ask the court to show as much mercy as possible.
‘In reality he is now going to have to take taxis or rely on his wife.’
Dr Biedrzycki’s work regularly involved him travelling all over Kent and Surrey and to Poplar, east London and St Helier, south-west London.
‘The financial burden may run into many hundreds of pounds, increasing the financial burden of this family man,’ Ms Bramwell added.
‘He works all of the time to support his family. He is busy and hard-working in a stressful job.’
Bench Chairwoman Jane Hargrave told Dr Biedrzycki: ‘We give you credit for your good character and your guilty plea and there are no aggravating features.
‘Clearly you are a man of exceptional public service and your skills are in high demand.
‘I am shocked that a man of your standing has to drive himself around south-east England, going from place to place and that obviously has had an effect on your health.
‘You had a high income and that is now going to be halved.
‘You will put this behind you. We see people such as yourself that reach a crisis and put it behind them and we wish you all the best.’