spudchucka
26th March 2006, 12:37
Enjoy.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/manawatustandard/0,2106,3614721a6003,00.html
The "little guy" won in Feilding District Court yesterday.
Paul Blencoe, a Feilding moving consultant, refused to pay an $80 speeding ticket issued on October 7, 2005 by Palmerston North Police Inspector Dave Scott, on the grounds he wasn't speeding.
An infringement notice sent a few days later said Mr Blencoe had been clocked at 113km on Campbell Road, between Feilding and Bunnythorpe.
Mr Blencoe, who represented himself in court yesterday, argued he didn't exceed 100km, even when overtaking four cars along the stretch of Campbell Road.
Insp Scott, who was driving on Waughs Road, which runs parallel to Campbell Road with the railway line between, said he paced Mr Blencoe for 650 metres before flashing his lights for him to stop at the Bunnythorpe petrol station.
Mr Blencoe argued the infringement notice details - date of birth, colour of car, date the fine was issued, and the clothing he was wearing - were incorrect.
He also argued the certified speedometer in Insp Scott's car had a significant margin of error (at least 2km) - enough to put him over the speed limit - if he was within the legal range of 100 to 109km.
Obstruction between the parallel roads, with a railway embankment and willow trees, would have made it difficult for Insp Scott to successfully pace him, Mr Blencoe said.
Insp Scott said his view was unimpeded.
Insp Scott also failed to formally introduce himself as a police officer, Mr Blencoe said.
Justices Morris Jackson and Norman Pearce dismissed the charge of failure to pay a fine and said Mr Blencoe deserved the "benefit of the doubt".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/manawatustandard/0,2106,3614721a6003,00.html
The "little guy" won in Feilding District Court yesterday.
Paul Blencoe, a Feilding moving consultant, refused to pay an $80 speeding ticket issued on October 7, 2005 by Palmerston North Police Inspector Dave Scott, on the grounds he wasn't speeding.
An infringement notice sent a few days later said Mr Blencoe had been clocked at 113km on Campbell Road, between Feilding and Bunnythorpe.
Mr Blencoe, who represented himself in court yesterday, argued he didn't exceed 100km, even when overtaking four cars along the stretch of Campbell Road.
Insp Scott, who was driving on Waughs Road, which runs parallel to Campbell Road with the railway line between, said he paced Mr Blencoe for 650 metres before flashing his lights for him to stop at the Bunnythorpe petrol station.
Mr Blencoe argued the infringement notice details - date of birth, colour of car, date the fine was issued, and the clothing he was wearing - were incorrect.
He also argued the certified speedometer in Insp Scott's car had a significant margin of error (at least 2km) - enough to put him over the speed limit - if he was within the legal range of 100 to 109km.
Obstruction between the parallel roads, with a railway embankment and willow trees, would have made it difficult for Insp Scott to successfully pace him, Mr Blencoe said.
Insp Scott said his view was unimpeded.
Insp Scott also failed to formally introduce himself as a police officer, Mr Blencoe said.
Justices Morris Jackson and Norman Pearce dismissed the charge of failure to pay a fine and said Mr Blencoe deserved the "benefit of the doubt".