Monday 30th October 2006

Man loses crucial speeding case

Matter will go to the Lords 'if necessary'

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Keep a copper in a job

The speeding case that centres on whether civilians can go a police officer's job is to go appeal, after the accused lost his case -- see previous story (link below).

Businessman Richard Hussey was ordered to pay a £1,146 fine and received five points on his licence at Devizes magistrates court last week.

Hussey will be challenging the speeding penalty on the basis that the civilian wielding the speed camera on which the charge is based was unqualified to take an initial view on whether or not he was speeding. He argues that a police officer is both trained and is empowered in law to do that, while civilians are not.

He told the local paper: "I want to go further and fight for justice. It's me versus the authorities. I felt very disappointed. I really hoped they'd be able to say they thought we were right and civilians can't actually do a police officer's job.

"I would have just paid it if it had been a police officer and taken the three points but I feel there is a principle that needs to be ironed out."

Hussey said that he'd be willing to take the case all the way to the House of Lords if necessary.

Related stories

• PH: Landmark speeding case goes to court
• This is Wiltshire: ‘It’s me versus the authorities’

^{Picture by www.speedcam.co.uk}

[dula]

So why having challenged the initial penalty of £60 and three points did he recieve an additional 2 points? I can understand the court costs being applied (having lost his appeal) but did the initial driving offence suddenly get worse because he challenged it? or has this been added because it has become a 'high profile' case to help discourage others from contesting any traffic offence rulings for fear of ending up far worse off?

[nubbin]

Discussed HERE