UK NEWS

SUICIDE POLICE CHIEF OVER THE DRINK LIMIT

Michael Todd allowed himself to freeze to death

Thursday March 13,2008

By Nicola McCafferty and Paul Broster for express.co.uk

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(7)

POLICE chief Michael Todd was over the legal drink drive limit when he died, his inquest was told today.

The 50-year-old had 105 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in his system.

The legal limit for drivers is only 80 milligrams per 100 millitres.

Last night it emerged that the Chief constable killed himself after being plunged into a “dark place” by his turbulent love life.

The married police boss had a string of affairs with female police officers, a personal assistant and a leading businesswoman.

Angie Robinson allegedly had an affair with Michael Todd

Thrown into turmoil by his tangled relationships, he sent “disturbing” text messages before taking his life on Snowdon in North Wales.

Mr Todd’s body was found covered in snow near a path just 100 yards from Snowdon’s 3,560ft summit.

It was suggested yesterday that, after leaving notes for his family, he had taken off some of his clothes in order to succumb quicker to the freezing temperatures on the peak.

Mr Todd's drinking session would have accelerated hypothermia in the "horrendous" conditions. He would have quickly become unconscious and "stood no chance" as wind, rain and snow took hold.

A gin bottle was discovered near his body along with more spirits.

Today's findings were made public by consultant pathologist Dr Anthony Caslin, who conducted the post-mortem examination yesterday at Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital in North Wales.

Dr Caslin - who would not normally be called to the opening of an inquest - added that Mr Todd’s urine reading was 220 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine.

The coroner for North West Wales, Dewi Pritchard-Jones, asked him: “So, not a huge amount of alcohol then?”

Dr Caslin answered: “No, sir.

“It would probably have been higher several hours prior to death as the urine level was quite high.

“It was probably up to 150 or 160 milligrams at some point.”

Further toxicology tests will be carried out on the Greater Manchester Police chief’s blood.

“In the light of that I have withheld the cause of death until the tests are done,” said Dr Caslin.

Earlier today Michael Todd's widow paid tribute today to a “loving and caring father and husband” as it was revealed he had a three-year affair with a leading businesswoman.

Carolyn Todd said the family were “struggling to come to terms” with his apparent suicide.

She said: “I loved Michael very much and the last time I spoke to him, he told me he loved me too. We have been married for 27 years and eight months.”

Mr Todd had three children, a 16-year-old daughter and twin 13-year-old boys.

The Manchester Evening News reported today that Greater Manchester Police chief constable Mr Todd, 50, had an affair with Angie Robinson, the chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

LETS NOT JUDGE

13.03.08, 9:22pm

The poor man is dead his family deserve a little bit of respect anything that may have happened in his personal life is of no concern of ours

• Posted by: retiredmale • Report Comment

LEAVE IT OUT

13.03.08, 8:41pm

The man is dead and cannot defend himself against all the allegations. Leave him rest and leave his loved ones to grieve in whatever peace they can find.

• Posted by: isis • Report Comment

BUT HE WASNT DRIVING! SO WHY MENTION IT!

13.03.08, 7:01pm

Respect!

• Posted by: lisaj • Report Comment

POLICE CHIEF

13.03.08, 6:26pm

All very sad but if you take a high profile job as a public servant and pocket 122 grand a year then you had better keep your pants on otherwise you are bound to get compromised sooner or later.

• Posted by: lioned • Report Comment

SUICIDE POLICE CHIEF OVER THE LIMIT.

13.03.08, 4:56pm

I do agree death is sad for family, but there are terribly sad events in these life's
BeIieving that people in the public eye have no private life. I do not agree with presenters of childrens programs being promiscuous junkies.
People in public life should watch thier P's and
Q's at least in deference, if not in moral fibre.

• Posted by: juan01 • Report Comment

ADDING INULT TO INJURIS HELPFUL...HOW???

13.03.08, 3:51pm

The grieving family do not need this scenario washing in public. . . crass and insensitive.

Nor is it a 'need to know' - about a man with a distinguished career, not so distinguished emotional life nor on his attitude to family values.

This takes away from his Professional Life. His Personal Life should be that, just that. PERSONAL. I feel for the poor family reading this stuff whilst in shock and grieving. Insensitiv in the extreme.

Unnecessary at this time.

JANE

• Posted by: janegt • Report Comment