Chief to apologise in court for failure to name police driver caught in speed trap

A senior policeman is due in court today to explain to JPs why his force has been unable to identify the driver of a police vehicle caught by a speed camera.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Readhead of Hampshire will attend Aldershot magistrates' court to list the unsuccessful attempts to find who was behind the wheel.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said the Police Authority would be pleading guilty at the hearing to failing to give information about the driver.

The mystery motorist was caught by the camera driving an unmarked Ford Fiesta above the 30mph speed limit in Bridge Road, Sarisbury near Fareham.

The vehicle was an all- purpose one used by a large number of staff at Fratton police station in Portsmouth.

Mr Readhead will also give assurances to the court that procedures have been tightened to identify in the future who is driving a vehicle belonging to the police.

The spokesman added that it had been the force's decision to release details of the offence because it had wanted to be open on what had happened.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "The car was caught on camera contravening the 30mph limit on Bridge Road, Sarisbury, near Fareham, Hampshire.

"Mr Readhead decided the constabulary had to be transparent and open about the offence. He will tell the court about the exhaustive but unsuccessful attempts made to identify the driver."

The spokesman added: "The deputy chief constable will also be giving the court assurances about the future management of vehicle resources."