Speeding Pc avoids fine
A police officer who clocked up "eyewatering" speeds of up to 159mph in an unmarked squad car on the M54 near Wolverhampton was convicted of dangerous driving - but walked free from court without any punishment.
Pc Mark Milton was told he had suffered enough with the court proceedings.
Milton, 40, of Telford, Shropshire, was convicted at Ludlow Magistrates Court on Friday following a second trial after he was acquitted of the same offence last year.
The High Court overturned his acquittal earlier this year and ordered a re-trial.
He was given an absolute discharge by District Judge Peter Wallis and no order was made for him to pay any costs. He was given no disqualification or penalty points.
Milton told the court he was still an advanced police driver "at the moment".
He gave a sigh of relief as the sentence was announced, two-and-a-half years after proceedings began.
Five speeding charges have been ordered to lie on the file. Judge Wallis said it would be absurd for any judge to bring them back before a court.
He told the court: "I can see no need for punishment. He has suffered quite a lot over the last two-and-a-half years."
Outside court, Andy White, chairman of the West Mercia Police Federation, said an appeal against the conviction had already been lodged.
Milton will now be subject to a disciplinary hearing with the force - probably after the appeal is heard. Mr White said Milton would not face automatic dismissal from his post as a traffic officer.
The traffic officer for West Mercia Police had denied all the charges during the hearing - a retrial after a previous not guilty verdict was overturned by the High Court.
During the trial, footage taken from the camera video fitted to a West Mercia Police Vauxhall Vectra was shown. Milton was seen regularly travelling at more than 100mph on A-roads and up to 159mph on the M54 early on December 5, 2003.
Pat Sullivan, prosecuting, said the constable - who had 12 years' service under his belt - was driving at "eyewatering speeds".
Milton claimed he was honing his skills after an advanced driving course.
The court heard from Douglas Boulton, an advanced driving instructor, who compared Milton to a Formula One racing driver.
He told the court people have to practice their jobs in all industries.
During the trial Milton admitted he was breaking the speed limit but disputed the accuracy of the figures displayed on the camera. The two lengthy trials and High Court appeal hearing of Milton have cost up to £100,000, most of which has come out of taxpayers' pockets.
