Police investigating the shooting dead of an officer by a naval rating on board a submarine were so alarmed by the crew's binge-drinking they informed their chief constable, who then contacted military authorities, an inquest has heard.
Police interviewed the crew aboard HMS Astute following the shooting of Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux by Able Seaman Ryan Donovan, who was 76% above the drink-drive limit.
After talking to the crew, detectives concluded that Donovan's drink intake was not out of the ordinary.
Richard Wilkinson, counsel for Lt Cdr Molyneux's family, asked the sub's captain at the time, Commander Iain Breckenbridge, whether he had any concerns about his crew drinking ashore during the visit to Southampton in April 2011 when the killing and the shooting of another officer took place.
He told the inquest in Southampton that he had been told of no concerns about the crew and he was "surprised" to hear of the police's fears of binge- drinking. He said he believed that most of his crew were responsible and did not drink before they went on duty.
The hearing continues.
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