Judge tells PCC she could face six months in prison if she is caught driving while disqualified
A JUDGE was moved to explain to repentant Police Commissioner Caroline Henry just why there are speed limits on our roads.
Yesterday Henry was handed a fine of £490 for each of the five speeding offences she committed across Nottinghamshire over the course of four months.
She left court with a total fine of £2,450, an order to pay a victim surcharge of £190, prosecution costs, and a six-month driving ban.
Her licence will now carry 15 fresh penalty points.
Henry, who is paid more than £76,000 per year for her role as PCC, which includes scrutinising the performance of Nottinghamshire Police, was sentenced by Judge Leo Pyle at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
He told her as she stood before him: “Speed limits are sited, to say this to punish the myth, not at places they can accrue maximum amounts in funds but for safety reasons.”
He reminded her she had committed five offences of speeding.
He said: “What they show is that you were driving at consistent speeds above the speed limit. What I haven’t been told is, why? Whether it was to attend a work meeting or meet in your private time? Whether for work or private, you must allow time to get to your destination safely and comply with speed restrictions.”
He said she had recognised that, in terms of work and attending to one of her children, who lives in another area, she can manage albeit with “inconvenience”.
The court heard on five occasions Henry was captured speeding in a car over the 30mph limit. She admitted being the driver. The court was told Henry, who was elected to the post in May last year, was caught speeding in a blue Mercedes and a silver Lexus with a personalised number plate at four locations in Nottingham in March, May and June last year.
On her official PCC website, Henry listed ensuring an “effective and efficient” police response to speeding as one of her priorities.
She campaigned for election using the slogan “Make Notts Safe” and promised to “reduce crime with
action, not words”.
The first time she was caught speeding was on Bye Pass road at Chilwell when she was driving at 35mph. On the second occasion, in Nuthall Road, she was doing 40mph. By May 2, 2021, she was driving at 38mph, again at 38mph in Oxclose Lane, and at 35mph, also on Oxclose Lane. The court had 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 trips could not be done by public transport.
When Henry gave evidence, she became tearful and told the judge there was no direct public transport to get her to Salisbury. “It would be impossible to do in one day...which is what I do at the moment,” she said, later adding that, “I am really sorry.”
The judge added, as he sentenced her, that the reality is that her husband [Conservative MP for Broxtowe Darren Henry] could facilitate this and it would not be about exceptional hardship, as was argued in her case to retain her licence.
After disqualifying her, the judge warned that she must not drive or attempt to drive for six months.
“I advise you that you now disqualified from this point onwards and it is vital you do not drive or attempt to drive on the roads”.
He also said she could be prosecuted, if she did, for driving while disqualified which would result in six months in prison. Henry said “thank you”, as she left court.