Anti-terrorism cop clocked at 102mph

A POLICE officer who has worked on counter-terrorism operations around the UK was banned from driving for five months at Fort William Sheriff Court after it heard how he had driven a Mercedes car at 102mph across Rannoch Moor.

Alexander Winchester, 41, appeared before Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald last week and pleaded guilty to careless driving as a result of doing 102mph on the A82 road on Rannoch Moor on May 12 last year.

Procurator fiscal Robert Weir said Winchester, who was described as an acting police sergeant who mainly works from a base at Dounreay, had been travelling south at the time of the offence.

Mr Weir said: ‘Police officers carrying out a speed check using a hand-held device aimed it at the Mercedes E Class car being driven by the accused and recorded its speed as being 102mph.’ Winchester was subsequently stopped by officers, cautioned and charged.

Defence agent David Mitchell told the court his client was a police bronze commander and also operated as a firearms commander.

‘He often travels around the UK working on counter-terrorism secondments, and mainly works out of Dounreay,’ said Mr Mitchell.

‘At the time of the offence, he was overtaking another slower moving vehicle and continued to accelerate. As the court has already heard, the conditions were good and there were good views of the road but that is absolutely no excuse and my client is remorseful and embarrassed.

‘He accepts he should have known better and accepts full responsibility.’

The court heard Winchester already had three penalty points on his driving licence and his solicitor told the court that, as a firearms officer, his client’s driving licence was very important.

Mr Mitchell continued: ‘He is still facing disciplinary action following this matter and it will no doubt have an adverse effect on his career.’

Despite hearing Winchester’s solicitor make a plea for the matter to be dealt with by way of a large fine and penalty points rather than a period of disqualification, Sheriff MacDonald said 102mph was an excessive speed to drive at on any road, even if the one in question was a remote rural one.

‘I am satisfied only a period of disqualification is appropriate and I therefore disqualify you for a period of five months and impose a fine of £640,’ she told Winchester.