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Wednesday, 12 February 2020 10:13

Evidence from speed camera not conclusive

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Evidence from speed camera not conclusive

 

Director of Public Prosecutions v Marrable, Unreported 4 February 2020

 

M was detected travelling in a motor vehicle at a speed of 72 mph, in a 50 mph speed restriction area. That speed was recorded using an approved ‘Trucam’ device.

The appellant contended that he had not been speeding and produced evidence from a GPS tracker fitted to his company vehicle that showed a speed of 53-54mph.

The magistrates’ were advised that the police device was approved, calibrated and operating correctly (matters not in issue), and that the appellant’s device had none of those features.

The magistrates acquitted on the basis that the GPS tracker cast sufficient doubt as to the correct speed so as to be unable to convict.

The prosecution appealed.

Held: It was clearly established in Cracknell v Willis [1988] A.C. 450 that evidence from approved devices was not conclusive evidence. Having been properly directed it was a matter for the court to weigh up the competing evidence, and it could not be said that the justices decision was perverse or irrational. There was reasonable doubt that M exceeded the 50 mph speed limit.

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