Thumbs-up Pc pays price for joke

A police patrol driver who gave the thumbs up sign to a speed camera as he went past on 999 calls has been fined at a force misconduct hearing.

South Yorkshire driver David Mayes, 34, was given a "substantial fine" after he took his hands off the wheel at speeds of 68 and 73mph in the 40mph zone.

Mayes was banned from driving for six months by magistrates in February.

Senior officers said his position as a police driver would be reassessed when his road ban had been served.

Earlier this year, Mayes was fined £400 after pleading guilty to two counts of driving without due care and attention at Halifax Magistrates' Court.

Misconduct hearing

Magistrates heard how Mayes passed the camera at high speed on Halifax Road, Grenoside, Sheffield, in the early hours of 26 July 2007.

Following the force hearing a South Yorkshire police spokesman said: "The officer concerned appeared before a misconduct hearing and his conduct fell below what South Yorkshire Police and the public expect.

"The panel took into account the officer's previous good service but imposed a substantial fine."

The force spokesman could not confirm the amount of the fine but said Mayes had been allowed to return to normal operational duties following the conclusion of the misconduct proceedings.

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