Ex-cop was four times over the limit when he smashed into another car - then begged his shocked victim not to tell police
direct to your inboxA former Manchester Airport police officer already under investigation over whether he abused his warrant card on a flight has narrowly escaped a prison sentence for a drunken car crash.John Ashton, 55, was more than four times over the drink-drive limit when he hit a kerb, swerved into the wrong side of the road in his BMW and hit an on-coming car.The shocked driver of the other car saw the former PC, who had downed a bottle and a half of red wine, stagger out of his car and beg her not to tell police as he was going through a serious court case.The father-of-one narrowly escaped jail after he admitted drink-driving.Tina Cunnane, prosecuting, told Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court a woman was driving her VW Polo along