A police chief caught speeding five times in four months has pleaded to keep her licence. A court was told the loss of her licence would cause Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry 'exceptional hardship'.
The 52-year-old, who had previously pledged a road safety crackdown, was emotional as she appeared before magistrates in Nottingham on Monday where she was appearing to be sentenced for the motoring offences. However her plea was rejected by District Judge Leo Pyle.
Instead she was banned from driving for six months. She was also fined a total of £2,450 and had 15 penalty points added to her driving licence.
The court was told how Henry, of Orchil Street, Giltbrook, had previously pleaded guilty to five speeding offences in the space of just four months, reports Nottinghamshire Live. She was caught driving a blue Mercedes and a silver Lexus with a personalised number plate in 30mph zones at four locations in Nottingham in March, May and June last year.
She was spotted over the speed limit twice near a primary school in Daybrook, Nottingham, as well as roads in Chilwell, Beeston and on the city’s A610. Speed cameras clocked the PCC’s speed as high as 40mph in a 30mph zone, with other excess speeds recorded at 35mph and 38mph.
District Judge Leo Pyle said of the offences: “What they show is that you are driving at consistent speeds above the speed limits. What I haven’t been told is why.
"Whether that was due to work or during your private time, you must allow time to get to your destination safely. He added: “Speed limit (cameras) are sited… not at places where they can issue maximum amounts in fines, but for safety reasons.”
The court heard more about Henry's children and how they rely heavily on her. She has to travel to Beeston and Salisbury for them and the court was told why these trips could not be done by public transport.
But District Judge Pyle said that, despite it being an “inconvenience”, Henry’s husband, Broxtowe MP Darren Henry, could “facilitate” it. Henry, was elected as a Conservative commissioner in May 2021 and is responsible for holding Nottinghamshire Police to account and overseeing its spending.
Outside court, she made a brief statement as one reporter asked, "are you not going to resign?". Another said, "Are you getting the bus home?"
Henry, who did not respond to those questions, said: "I am truly sorry for speeding. Quite properly I have been fined and banned from driving for six months. I remain committed to serving the people of Nottinghamshire as Police and Crime Commissioner. Thank you for listening to me on this hot day".
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