Motorist blew up speed camera

Published on 17th August 2006 in News

A driver from Thorne is facing up to 10 years in prison after be blew up a speed camera in a bid to escape a driving ban.

28-year-old Craig Moore, of Grampian Way, used explosives normally used to weld railway lines to destroy the camera after it flashed him, Manchester Crown Court heard last week.

The camera was blown apart in the explosion, causing ?11,700 of damage. But Mr Moore?s plan back-fired because the photos of his speeding van were stored on a disk in the base of the device, which was undamaged.

Inquiries revealed Mr Moore, who faces a possible 10-year jail sentence for his actions, feared losing his job because he faced being banned from the roads.

Mr Moore was traced through his registration plate after the camera caught him only minutes before the explosion on August 14 last year.

Greater Manchester Police inquiries revealed Mr Moore was trying to destroy evidence of his vehicle, which had been captured on the camera on an earlier occasion.

Mr Moore pleaded guilty to destroying the camera. The case against him was adjourned until September 6, when he will be sentenced.