A Nottingham MP has described Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner's five speeding offences as 'outrageous'. Conservative Caroline Henry, who was caught speeding five times within four months, has made a "mockery" of her election pledge 'Make Notts Safe', said Lilian Greenwood.
The Labour MP, who represents the city's south constituency told Nottinghamshire Live: “This makes a mockery of Caroline Henry's election promise to 'Make Notts Safe'. Every 22 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads and speeding is described by Police as one of the 'fatal five'. For the Police and Crime Commissioner to have shown such disregard for public safety is outrageous."
The comments come after Henry's appearance at Nottingham Magistrates' Court, where it was heard the 52-year-old had broken the 30mph limit in four locations around the county in March, May and June 2021. Magistrates were told Henry, who is the wife of Broxtowe MP Darren Henry, had written a letter to the court saying she was "very sorry, embarrassed and ashamed".
Read more: Nottinghamshire Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry caught speeding five times
Henry has also attracted criticism from Nottingham councillors, with Samuel Gardiner who represents the Bulwell Forest Ward saying the 2021-elected commissioner should step down. Referring to one of the speeding locations, the Labour councillor said: I’m Top Valley born and bred and anyone who know Oxclose Lane is probably familiar with it because of Oxclose Police station.
"How much disregard was the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner paying if she sped close by one of her local Police Stations at 38mph? The vast majority of Nottingham gets it; Speeding Kills and its 30mph for a reason.”
Sam Webster, a portfolio holder at Nottingham City Council, wrote on Twitter: "Dear Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, can you kindly stop speeding in Daybrook, Beeston, Chilwell. Thanks, a constituent."
After the hearing Henry, of Giltbrook, said: “For technical legal reasons, the court has constituted that they cannot deal with the case today. I cannot comment on the ongoing case. I will be explaining the context of this matter in due course.”
She will now be sentenced by a district judge at the same court on July 19.
