Couple didn’t know who was at the wheel of speeding car

ACOUPLE both found themselves in court over a speeding ticket because they did not know who was driving.

Gillian and Graham Richardson’s car was caught on camera doing 57mph in a 50mph zone on the A537/ A54 in Wildboarclough and police issued a speeding ticket, a hearing was told.

But the husband and wife, both 62, of Bradford Lane, Nether Alderley, did not know who was driving the car at the time it was photographed and asked police for a clear picture to identify who was at the wheel, the court heard.

But both Mr and Mrs Richardson were brought before the court accused of failing to give police information to identify the driver and speeding.

At the last minute prosecutors provided a police picture at Stockport Magistrates Court which confirmed that it was Mrs Richardson who was driving.

The two charges against Mr Richardson were both dismissed.

Mrs Richardson pleaded guilty to speeding, while the charge of failing to give information was dismissed.

Prosecuting, Kate Gaskell said: “We have a guilty plea from Gillian to speeding and offer no evidence for the remaining matters of failing to give information and the speeding matter for her husband. The pleas are acceptable to the crown. It was a speeding matter on August 19 when the vehicle was seen doing 57 in a 50mph zone. We ask for £85 costs as there were no witnesses called and matters have been resolved over lunch today.”

Defending, Richard Silver said: “Mrs Richardson has entered a guilty plea at the first possible moment.

“The only reason this has reached court is because they weren’t sure who the driver was.

“Today my friend has provided a better picture than we’ve seen before to work out where the incident was and that Mrs Richardson was driving. She engaged with police and did everything she could to find out who was driving. Under normal circumstances it would have been a speed awareness course or fine. She’s utterly responsible, has had no points for many years and does a huge mileage of 20,000 miles each year.

“It’s about as straightforward as it could be.”

Magistrates issued a £65 fine, £30 victim surcharge and £85 court costs, as well as three points on Mrs Richardson’s licence.

Co-op food stores in Macclesfield donated hundreds of chocolate eggs for children and nurses who will be spending time in Macclesfield hospital this Easter.