|
I found a topic about this on C+ so looked into it a bit. I'm sorry if this has allready been covered, but I didn't see it anywhere.
A TRAFFIC policeman caught driving at 136mph on a notorious stretch of road was yesterday banned for a year.
PC Blair McMaster, 28, was clocked by a speed camera driving north to Inverness on the A9 in his Subaru Impreza WRX estate car.
It is believed at least one other person, understood to be a child, was travelling with McMaster at the time.
His speed on the dual carriageway was almost twice the 70mph limit.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that McMaster was not facing a more serious charge because of the way his offence was captured by the camera.
Gary Aitken, the fiscal, told the court: "The legislation that covers the use of speed cameras restricts the charge. They can only be used for speeding and not for any of the more significant offences such as dangerous driving."
Mr Aitken explained that McMaster was caught at 3:45pm on 9 November last year at Daviot, on the outskirts of Inverness. He said: "The road surface was wet. It was raining slightly. Traffic volume was moderate."
McMaster, a father of two, was fined £500 by Sheriff Anthony Deuscht and banned for a year. The policeman, who serves with Northern Constabulary, now faces a misconduct hearing.
David Hingston, McMaster’s defence lawyer, said: "He accepts there is no excuse for his speed. He is well aware it was excessive."
When asked what the consequences for McMaster’s career would be, a spokeswoman for Northern Constabulary said: "As this will now be the subject of an internal review of conduct we can make no further comment."
A spokesman for the Police Federation said: "Constable McMaster now faces a police misconduct hearing and it would be inappropriate for him to comment."
Isobel Brydie, chairwoman of the Scottish Campaign against Irresponsible Drivers, said: "We work with the police trying to send out the message that speed kills but that is extremely difficult when one of their own does this.
"I’m pleased that the court has actually given him a ban, as many people caught speeding do not receive bans."
McMaster’s speeding offence follows another case involving a Northern Constabulary traffic policeman.
Bob Kennedy, a police driving instructor, was caught doing 121mph on the same stretch of road at Daviot.
He appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court in January last year and was banned for 18 months and fined £800 after being found guilty of dangerous driving.
Kennedy was required by the Chief Constable to resign from Northern Constabulary. But he later won his job back when the Independent Police Appeals Tribunal ruled that the £30,000-a-year officer was treated too harshly by the force.
Now on C+ a few people are baying for his blood, prison loose his job etc.
I believe that he should be punished for what he did, but why is it that every time a policeman does something like this, people think he should be sacked. The man has been punished, had a lot of stress, he will probably be fined by his force, and has allready had to fight a batle to keep his job. This doen't just affect him, it can effect every aspect of his life, and that of his familly.
I know the police are supposed to set a good example, but even we can make errors of judgement. In reality, (this is not by any means excusing him), he is better qualified to travel at that speed, and was in the right car for that sort of thing.
I don't see an office worker, factory worker etc loosing their job for speeding!!
_________________
'Detritus, get yer stoney arse over ere'
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Members
