Why not judge on this basis? There is probably only one on duty! We need a bigger sample to work on.
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I wonder what else in the report was also wrong?
I don't know. There is at least one other newspaper report which says "306". Perhaps it would be best to ask the presiding magistrate Andrew Entwistle, who told Mayes: "You exhibited a blatant disregard for the safety of other road users and failed to take into account the risk to the passengers", or even the man himself, who admitted to the offences in court. I should think that his passengers ought to receive some censure from within the South Yorkshire Police, too, for obvious reasons.
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It makes me wonder if he was the first to do that. Twice in one shift suggests it was a stunt that he, or others, had done before, but no action taken. Just a thought.
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"He was legitimately driving at these speeds," said Mr Christy. "It's the lack of care, not the speed."
Legitimately driving at 68mph to investigate an abandoned car and the theft of some lead? Pull the other one!!
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dont think this is much of a big deal at all
if its a clear straight empty road in good conditions taking your hands off the wheel for a few seconds can be a very low risk, the speed limit itself is probably set way too low as is the norm these days
this is nothing compared to the cat and mouse games which used to go on between the tens of young bobbies in a certain force area in their cars on the very odd quiet night, as an outsider i always thought it was good for morale and harmless fun, no doubt it would be a big deal if anyone had any videos of it
id rather see the footage of the local speed camera partnership driving around off duty, they would make rather better hides to skin, and very easy meat for any journalists wanting some fun
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if its a clear straight empty road in good conditions taking your hands off the wheel for a few seconds can be a very low risk the speed limit itself is probably set way too low as is the norm these days
Well, the camera snapped him in a 60mph zone - so he was probably doing at least 66mph (benefit of the doubt there..). It was night time too and those Pug headlights are the greatest in the world so I personally think that lifting both hands into the air and smiling for the camera is a bit dangerous. Leaving aside that, they guy must really have been a bit thick to do it (especially more than once). Sooner or later someone will squeal ( probably a low paid youngster who has to go through the camera pictures and has been pulled over by one of our boys in blue at some time or other).
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Well the camera snapped him in a 60mph zone - so he was probably doing at least 66mph (benefit of the doubt there..). It was night time too
With respect, Aprilia, it looked from the report on local TV news tonight as if this was on the 40mph limit A61 dual carriageway from Hillsborough toward Barnsley - there are houses each side, pedestrian crossings and side roads, so his alleged 70+mph would seem a bit irresponsible while looking at cameras instead of the road ahead.
Having said that, I personally hate and detest speed cameras and wish they were all scrapped, let's have some proper old fashioned traffic cops instead with ANPR to get the uninsured and idiots off the road.
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you're right DD - according to the BBC it was over 90mph - and we believe everything THEY say 'cos they're not a tabloid.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_yorkshir...m
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>this is nothing compared to the cat and mouse games which used to go on between the tens of young bobbies in a certain force area in their cars on the very odd quiet night<
That must have been a long time ago...
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I can't say it comes over as being that bad - the media & judge did get a bit moral high horse about what was a prank. What does surprise is why he did it & what he thought the consequences might or might not have been - one must assume he thought the camera picture wouldn't get any further than the locker room. The occasional high spirits or even downright silly behaviour must surely be a safety valve in the Police force where any encounter might end in violence or danger of some kind.
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I agree woodbines. I would even go a bit further and say that one of the personality types that might suit police work - robust good-natured gung-ho, sort of rugger players - really ought to be a tiny bit barmy and mischievous when young. I think this guy has been a bit unlucky and I hope they don't chuck him out.
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re "That must have been a long time ago..." oh youd be surprised, the very odd night every few months when all is quiet and nothing is going on, of course the police on duty play jokes on each other, its human nature, no big deal
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normd2 -
>>according to the BBC it was over 90mph
Not true! The article says:
Quote: In December chief constable Meredydd Hughes was banned for speeding.
Hughes was caught driving at 90mph along a 60mph zone [snip]
Mayes [the Peugeot driver] was prosecuted for the offences, which took place in the early hours of the morning on 26 July 2007. Magistrates heard how he passed the camera at speeds of 68mph and 73mph in the 40mph zone on Halifax Road in Grenoside, Sheffield.
end quote.
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Billy,
You should know by now don't let the truth get in the way of a good negative posting !!!
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I notice he's been fined £15 as a "Victim's Surcharge". Any idea who the victim might be? Perhaps the speed camera had its feelings hurt as he drove past.
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Many years ago, on New Year's eve in what is now Docklands - can't remember why I was there but there was a reason - I was parked for a moment and a marked plod car, a Mk 1 or 2 Escort I think, sidled up to ask what I was doing. The plods didn't ask if I had been drinking though. I had of course, but I could tell at a glance that they were far, far drunker than me. It all dissolved into compliments of the season in no time.
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The thing about this is that it would be funny except that
1/ This copper is thicker than a container load of planks and should not be let out in charge of a brain, as he clearly has no experience of using one.
but worse
2/ He is deliberately taking the mick out of, laughing at, and insulting every motorist who has been nicked by a speed camera.
For those two very good reasons this copper deserves nothing less than our scorn.
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>>This copper is thicker than a container load of planks
He's indulging in a humourous jape, much as a clown would - in fact he's clowning around - but thick? No evidence of that. Big difference!
He is deliberately taking the mick out of, laughing at,and insulting every motorist ..etc.etc
Well, pwwwwhhh, maybe, but mightn't he be just having a laugh? No sub-text required, no belittling of the common man intended - in fact probably the furthest thing from his mind.
There was, if I recall the story correctly, a female PC next to him in the car.. Haven't we all played the jolly fool in hope of impressing fair maiden AE?
As Lud points out, the personality type that tends to cope better with & show more empathy to his fellow man's frailties - and hence be more 'rounded' in his/her approach to others' minor indiscretions - might just be that type who finds irresistable urge to poke his tongue out at the maiden aunt once in a while.
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>He's indulging in a humourous jape, much as a clown would - in fact he's clowning around - >but thick? No evidence of that. Big difference!
He is a police officer, he must have realised that the picture produced by the camera will be seen by many, probably including his superior officers and possibly seen by the press.
Ergo members of the Jury, I contend that this displays absolute and complete stupidity of the highest order.
>There was, if I recall the story correctly, a female PC next to him in the car.. Haven't we all >played the jolly fool in hope of impressing fair maiden AE?
He did it twice. Once to impress the female PC next to him perhaps, but the second time when he had a male colleague next to him?
NOw I am a great one for practical jokes and laughing about at all levels in the workplace, social life and even on here. But I am bright enough to be reminded when I am in danger of getting into trouble. I know when not to cross the line. A picture is trouble, for a copper on duty big time trouble.
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I agree with you in principle AE. Stupidity is dangerous and often incredibly annoying, annoying enough to make other people do stupid things out of annoyance.
But is this copper's booboo really stupidity? I think it comes into the moment-of-madness category to which we have all been subject more than once in our lives, or I hope so anyway. Not everyone is as paranoid as you or me, so they might not have considered the risk from a picture.
I think you are coming on too strict here. I bet you don't always practise what you preach. Very few people really do, wall to wall.
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But is this copper's booboo really stupidity? I think it comes into the moment-of-madness category to which we have all been subject more than once in our lives or I hope so anyway. Not everyone is as paranoid as you or me so they might not have considered the risk from a picture.
The problem is that he was not in control of the vehicle while exceeding the speed limit by a wide margin. The fact that his hands were not on the steering wheel, and he was looking at something other than the road ahead makes it a clear case of dangerous driving. The fact that he knew there would be photographic evidence does suggest either that he is not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, or he was not thinking.
Given that coppers have nicked people for eating a chocolate bar at the wheel I think there was no alternative but to do him for dangerous driving. After all, what kind of statement would it make if they let him off?
He has been banned for a while, and will have a disciplinary hearing, which I presume could cost him his job. I certainly hope they do not sack him but some form of punishment is needed. I also hope that his colleagues who were in the car get a good earful from their superiors.
As an aside, it does look as if those coppers do not have much respect for speed cameras, and I have sympathy for that. It is sad when the police themselves show such contempt for a supposed safety device. Kind of tells you something doesn't it.
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If you look at the photos though, he is not looking relaxed. He has raised both hands from the wheel and grinned at the camera at exactly the right moment, and you can see from the positions of his arms that he has just whipped them up and is about to whip them down again. He's taking a risk perhaps, but not a very serious one.
I don't need to have an opinion on whether the guy will be punished. He certainly will be, and I fear the punishment may be excessive in response to the publicity. I hope his superiors will hold steady. Perhaps he needs a bit of inner-city undercover work to sober him up.
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