Lawyer 'argues speed cameras are illegal'
Date: 02/07/2008 12:00:00
A lawyer has opted in court to argue that speed cameras are illegal and relevant prosecutions have been won on evidence which is inadmissible.
Barrister Michael Shrimpton's claim is that new devices should be approved by the government, potentially invalidating most of the technology now in use.
According to the People, his argument was developed as part of the defence of Stephen Martin before a court in Surrey, after his client was involved in a speeding case.
Quoted by the paper, Mr Shrimpton said: "It seems around ten million prosecutions, including fixed penalty cases, have been based on unapproved devices."
Drivers and motorcyclists caught speeding face fines and points on their licences, plus possible rises in car cover and
motorbike insurance policies.
The People added magistrates recently threw out a speeding case after Mr Shrimpton said the device used to snap a driver had not been legally approved.
A recent report from the Lancashire Evening Post said motorists in its area had forked out £1.7 million on speed awareness courses in the space of 12 months.