Taxi driver's 420mph speed ticket

Tom Matthews was carrying a fare in his taxi when he was photographed

A taxi driver has been given a speeding ticket for allegedly driving at 420mph (676km/h) on a city street.

Tom Matthews was photographed while carrying a fare in his 12-year-old diesel Vauxhall Cavalier in Newport.

When a notice of the £60 fine and three penalty points arrived, it said he was clocked at 420mph in a 30mph zone.

Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership apologised and said the mistake was made by an employee rather than roadside equipment.

Mr Matthews, 38, of Newport, said: "I could not believe it. I was a bit shocked because there was no way I was going that fast.

Speed camera bosses acknowledged the mistake

"I was just driving along Cardiff Road at 2.20 in the morning and the camera went off.

"I drive down there about three or five times a day maybe."

Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership manager, Phil Davies, apologised to Mr Matthews.

He said: "Due to the size of Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership, we process a large number of offences every year.

"This error was made by one of our employees and is an extremely rare occurrence. It was not an error in speed recording equipment.

"We are grateful to Mr Matthews for bringing this to our attention and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."