Police sergeant appeals 98mph speed case in Colwyn Bay

BBC News, Friday 27th March 2010

Sgt Craig Nicholas Jones, 40, an organised crime officer was caught driving at 98mph, nearly twice a 50mph limit, should not have been prosecuted, it is claimed. He is appealing againstthe speeding conviction while on duty. A decision is expected to be made next week.

Sgt Jones's barrister Simon Gurney claimed at Caernarfon Crown Court that it was an "abuse of process". He said North Wales Police had adopted a policy of not enforcing the speed limit because 50mph signs were unlit, therefore this should have applied to Sgt Jones, when he was caught on the stretch of the A55 expressway concerned, at Colwyn Bay.

The barrister also insisted that, as the signs did not comply with regulations because their lighting had failed, Sgt Jones' conviction should be overturned. "His knowledge of the speed limit isn't a relevant factor."

A district judge fined Sgt Jones, an advanced police driver, £500 and banned him for 90 days at Llandudno last December. The penalties were lifted ahead of the appeal. He had denied speeding late at night last April while taking a prisoner in a police VW Golf to Caernarfon, but was convicted. The crown court judge and two magistrates who head the case are to give their decision next week.