A SENIOR police officer whose officers were investigating the fatal stabbing of schoolteacher Ann Maguire has been banned from driving.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Knopwood, 48, of West Yorkshire Police was stopped on suspicion of drink-driving by officers from North Yorkshire Police in Knaresborough on April 28.

That day, Mrs Maguire was attacked at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, and died. A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named, was arrested and remains in custody.

Harrogate Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday Mr Knopwood failed a roadside breath test and refused to give a secondary breath test after being taken to the police station.

The bench heard Mr Knopwood told officers he wanted to be taken to hospital because he had banged his head in the police van and felt unwell.

Mr Knopwood, who has been a police officer for 24 years, is head of protective services (crime), with West Yorkshire Police - the division responsible for investigating major crimes in the area. He also wrote West Yorkshire Police’s report into the force’s links with Jimmy Savile.