4th August 2007 : The Weekly News

CHALLENGED SPEEDING FINE AND WON CASE
By Bill McBride

A driver who successfully challenged a speeding fine is offering to help others do the same for £10, writes Bill McBride.

TV cameraman Chris Burton, 34, was threatened with a £485 fine and seven penalty points after being stopped on a Manchester dual carriageway.

"I was accused of travelling at 60mph on a deserted road with a 30mph limit," Chris said. "I would have accepted the standard £60 fine and three points, as I may have been going faster than 30mph - though certainly not 60mph. The punishment was excessive, as it could have affected my livelihood."

"Lawyers wanted silly money to look at my case, so I represented myself. I argued I was being unfairly treated as a first-time offender. After several hearings, magistrates agreed, and my case was dismissed. I was awarded costs against the Crown Prosecution Service."

"I reckoned, if I can beat the system, anyone can, so I set up a site www.casedismissed.co.uk where visitors can follow my case and use my tips for a one-off payment. I want to give motorists the chance to fight their corner, without having to pay expensive lawyers like 'Mr Loophole', Nick Freeman, who's helped famous people like Sir Alex Ferguson."

"The site won't help real law-breakers, but many cases are down to faulty equipment or unfair judgements, and should be challenged. Speed cameras are a stealth tax, and drivers should question their use in court."