THE timing could hardly have been worse. In a week that scores of firefighters have given their all tackling two major heath blazes, one of their number appears in court for drink driving.

Elaine Case is suspended and could lose her job after getting behind the wheel of a Dorset Fire and Rescue community support vehicle while more than twice the legal limit. The episode is even more embarrassing as she is a full-time safety officer for the service.

As her colleagues have been saving lives, Case has been revealed as having put lives at risk. Her shame is complete.