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No jail term for speeding officer | No jail term for speeding officer |
(1 day later) | |
A lying policeman who invented a bogus car chase to avoid paying a speeding fine has been spared jail. | A lying policeman who invented a bogus car chase to avoid paying a speeding fine has been spared jail. |
Richard Holding claimed he was pursuing a dangerous driver when he was caught on camera doing 89mph in a 70mph limit. | Richard Holding claimed he was pursuing a dangerous driver when he was caught on camera doing 89mph in a 70mph limit. |
Plymouth Magistrates were told Holding's "moment of madness" in March 2007 was caused by stress. | Plymouth Magistrates were told Holding's "moment of madness" in March 2007 was caused by stress. |
He was fined £450 plus £500 costs with a £15 victim surcharge. He received a £60 fixed penalty and a three point licence endorsement last year. | He was fined £450 plus £500 costs with a £15 victim surcharge. He received a £60 fixed penalty and a three point licence endorsement last year. |
Magistrate David Libby told him: "We accept your actions can be described as totally irrational and out of character." | Magistrate David Libby told him: "We accept your actions can be described as totally irrational and out of character." |
Diamond heist | Diamond heist |
The court heard Holding suffered post traumatic stress after seeing colleagues killed while he was serving with the Royal Military Police in Iraq. | The court heard Holding suffered post traumatic stress after seeing colleagues killed while he was serving with the Royal Military Police in Iraq. |
He had also been affected by years of service as a firearms officer with the Metropolitan Police's elite SO 19 unit, where he had tackled IRA killers and had been involved in the Millennium Dome diamond heist. | He had also been affected by years of service as a firearms officer with the Metropolitan Police's elite SO 19 unit, where he had tackled IRA killers and had been involved in the Millennium Dome diamond heist. |
Magistrates heard how Holding was on his way to police headquarters in Exeter from his home in Barras Cross, Liskeard, Cornwall, on 28 March last year. | Magistrates heard how Holding was on his way to police headquarters in Exeter from his home in Barras Cross, Liskeard, Cornwall, on 28 March last year. |
When he realised he was going through a speed trap on the A38 near Saltash, he switched on the blue lights of his Tactical Aid Group Range Rover. | When he realised he was going through a speed trap on the A38 near Saltash, he switched on the blue lights of his Tactical Aid Group Range Rover. |
After searching the police computer to find a suitable incident, he claimed to have been chasing a Citroen car driving erratically. | After searching the police computer to find a suitable incident, he claimed to have been chasing a Citroen car driving erratically. |
'Bad decision' | 'Bad decision' |
But when colleagues checked his story they discovered the information had never been broadcast on the police radio. | But when colleagues checked his story they discovered the information had never been broadcast on the police radio. |
Holding admitted falsely claiming to be taking part in a police chase at the time. | |
Magistrates said they would not impose a prison sentence because he had no previous convictions and was a positive character who had given great service to his country and his community. | Magistrates said they would not impose a prison sentence because he had no previous convictions and was a positive character who had given great service to his country and his community. |
Holding will now face police disciplinary action. | Holding will now face police disciplinary action. |
After the case Det Insp Simon Selley said the chief constable expected the highest standards of professional behaviour from his officers. | After the case Det Insp Simon Selley said the chief constable expected the highest standards of professional behaviour from his officers. |
"Pc Holding is suspended from duty and this matter will now be taken to an internal misconduct hearing." | "Pc Holding is suspended from duty and this matter will now be taken to an internal misconduct hearing." |
Mr Simon Laws, defending, told the court Holding would not have risked his job and his reputation for the sake of a speeding fine and three points if he had been thinking straight. | Mr Simon Laws, defending, told the court Holding would not have risked his job and his reputation for the sake of a speeding fine and three points if he had been thinking straight. |
"This was a moment of madness from a man suffering classic symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder," he said. | "This was a moment of madness from a man suffering classic symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder," he said. |
"He made a very bad decision and one which he has already had great cause to regret." | "He made a very bad decision and one which he has already had great cause to regret." |
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