Trucker convicted by own dashcam
A police officer who took a selfie behind the wheel of a sports car faces a fine and points on his licence.
PC Joe Hawken snapped this picture of himself (right) driving in Holyhead while off duty.
In a Facebook post seen by the Daily Post, before he deleted his account, the officer said he is “addicted to car selfies”.
The photo was taken near the Black Bridge junction in Holyhead, which is notorious for accidents.
North Wales Police chief superintendent Nigel Harrison who said he “outlined his concerns” to the officer.
Chief Superintendent Nigel Harrison: “Following investigation, I can confirm that a Traffic Offence A LORRY driver was convicted of dangerous driving – thanks to his own dash cam.
A court heard how John Patrick Bolger, 57, undertook a car at road works on the A55 in his Volvo HGV tractor unit.
Bolger, of Bryn Hyfryd at Rhosgoch, Anglesey, denied dangerous driving but was convicted.
He claimed that when he came behind a car which slammed on its brakes in front of him he feared that it was a “cash for crash” insurance scam and did not want to become a victim.
Bolger, a owner/driver trucker for a number of years, said that he simply wanted to get away from him.
The car driver, Mark Wynne, 57, of Jocelyn Terrace, Afonwen, went on to overtake him and then drove across the front of his path, causing a crash.
He has also been convicted of dangerous driving. He is due to be sentenced in a weeks’ time.
District Judge Gwyn Jones banned Bolger from driving for 12 months Report (TOR) has been submitted in relation to PC Hawken, which is normal practice for any driver who is suspected of committing a road traffic offence of this nature. I have met with the officer today to outline my concerns.”
PC Hawken has not been suspended from his job.
The report will be referred to the Adjudication of Justice Department who will decide upon issuing a fine, putting points on his licence or a speed awareness course.
In May last year North Wales launched a “switch off before you drive off” campaign against distractions on the road. Officers from across the force targeted people who use their mobiles whilst driving. and ordered him to take an extended driving test before he drives again.
He was placed on a 12-month community order with 140 hours unpaid work, £620 costs and a £60 surcharge.
The judge refused to lift the driving ban pending an appeal against his conviction.
Flintshire magistrates’ court heard that at 1.45am on March 8 Bolger was driving at road works at Northop Hall. The outside lane was coned off for barrier repair work.
The speed limit was 40, he came up behind a slower-moving Fiat car driven by Mark Wynne, who was travelling at some 35 mph and Bolger flashed his headlights at the car.
Almost immediately the car driver slammed on his brakes three times reducing the speed to about 11 mph.
Bolger then undertook the car and his lorry crossed the “rumble” line, and the drainage and grassed area. This was shown in the dash cam of Bolger’s own vehicle and the footage was played to the court.
Prosecutor Justin Espie said the car driver then overtook Bolger’s lorry within the coned off area and swerved directly into the path of the lorry, causing a collision.
Defending barrister Elen Owen said her client thought it was an insurance scam. He was aware of commercial vehicles becoming easy targets at roadworks late at night in “cash for crash” episodes and feared he could become a victim.
It was in that position that he made a decision he bitterly regretted.
Her client had voluntarily told the police of the dash cam which provided the evidence against him.
He lived in an isolated area, the ban would have devastating implications for him, he would be unable to run his business and his wife was currently seriously ill.