Absolute discharge for PC who drove at 159mph

A police officer was convicted of dangerous driving for reaching speeds of up to 159mph in an unmarked police car. But PC Mark Milton, of Telford, Shropshire, was given an absolute discharge yesterday after he was told by District Judge Peter Wallis that he had suffered enough with two-and-a-half years of court proceedings.

Milton was convicted at Ludlow magistrates' court following a second trial after he was acquitted of the same offence last year. During the trial, footage taken from the video camera fitted to a West Mercia Police Vauxhall Vectra was shown.

Milton was seen to be regularly travelling at more than 100mph on A-roads and up to 159mph on the M54 during the early hours of 5 December 2003. Pat Sullivan, for the prosecution, said the constable - who had 12 years' service - was driving at "eye- watering speeds".

Milton, an armed response officer, claimed he was honing his skills following an advanced driving course. Defending his conduct, the policeman claimed that he had been encouraged by his trainers to practise his driving skills.

"We are trained to drive at high speeds - we are taught to drive in this manner," he said.

Passing sentence, the judge said: "He [Milton] has suffered quite a lot over the past two-and-a half years. I am going to grant an absolute discharge."