Man jailed after giving speed cameras the finger

North Yorkshire Police have today been promoting their recent conviction of Timothy Hill with a laser jammer to all the major news outlets. Reading between the lines we wonder if he was prosecuted for hiding his Range Rover and denying he was the driver as much as he was for having the jammer. The news story confirms the jammer ‘did its job’ and they could not get a speed reading on which to prosecute. It would also seem from this news story that the jammer unit was in some sort of continuous jamming mode.

However this guy was clearly an idiot for attracting attention to himself and having no regard to law or the police and we do not condone his actions. Jammers should be used to alert you to speed traps and give you a chance to check and adjust your speed if necessary, not to carry on driving with impunity with no regard to the laws of the road.

You can read the North Yorkshire Police statement here.

https://northyorkshire.police.uk/news/laser-jammer-prison/

Death crash driver who drove at 95mph in 30mph zone jailed for 12 years

Matthew Scrimshaw killed a woman while speeding at up to 95mph in a 30mph zone has been jailed for 12 years.

The 37 year old was driving on the wrong side of the road when he hit Iris Higginson, 67, in December 2014. Scrimshaw was also 1.75 times over the blood alcohol limit.

The judge said it was the longest sentence he had passed for death by dangerous driving in a 30-year career

Nottinghamshire Police

Ahead of the crash Scrimshaw's Audi TT was captured on CCTV on Mansfield Road, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, at speeds of 88mph and 95mph, the trial heard.

Mrs Higginson who "had been doing absolutely nothing wrong" died at the scene when her Vauxhall Corsa was hit almost head on.

Scrimshaw made no attempt to comfort her, help her or call the police and left the scene to hide the fact he had been drinking, the prosecution said.

Judge Michael Stokes, who also banned Scrimshaw from driving for 15 years, said: "I have had to deal with some appalling cases involving extremely dangerous driving, but I cannot recall a case of a defendant who has demonstrated such an overriding contempt for the law and for the feelings of other people."

Scrimshaw was also found guilty of causing serious injuries by dangerous driving in relation to a friend who was a passenger in his car. He suffered a broken jaw and foot.


Speaking outside court, Ms Higginson's daughter-in-law Pauline Hotchkiss described her as "a wonderful lady".

She said the family had received justice "but we will not get over" the death of the great-grandmother.

A decision was taken not to proceed on charges of failing to stop at an accident, driving with excess alcohol and failing to report an accident.

Det Sgt James Greely, of Nottinghamshire Police, said it was some of "the worst driving I have ever investigated".

Vicar spared speeding ban despite being caught for a fourth time

Reverend Tudor Rowlands was caught speeding for the fourth time in four years and escaped a driving ban because it would stop him preaching to his rural parish. (Cant say that his god wasnt watching out for him on that one!)

The 74 yer old vicar was caught doing 40mph in a 30mph area. He already had nine points on his licence from three previous offences.

Mr Rowlands, whose parish is in Powys, North Wales, said a ban would affect the ‘spiritual health of communities’ if he couldn’t reach elderly people who cannot get to church. 

Apologising for his speeding, he also pleaded 'exceptional hardship'  as he apologised for his speeding. 

The court heard Mr Rowlands, who has been a minister for 46 years, was still in charge of 10 chapels across a very large rural parish around Welshpool.

He said he believed he had learned his lesson after being caught for a fourth time in just four years.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court Rowlands, of Rhewl, Ruthin, pleaded guilty to driving too fast in a 30mph zone in Talybont on May 10, 2014, reports the Powys County Times.

In cross-examination, Mr Espie questioned Rowlands as to whether he would lose his job or his home as a result of being disqualified. The priest admitted he would not.

Magistrates accepted his argument of exceptional hardship and fined him £70, ordered him to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20

source