Pc Mark Milton was convicted of dangerous driving for reaching speeds of up to 159mph in an unmarked patrol car. Milton was found guilty following his second trial for the offence after the High Court overturned his original acquittal last year.
He was given an absolute discharge after District Judge Peter Wallis decided he had suffered enough with two-and-a-half years of court proceedings.
A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: ‘Steps have been put in place by West Mercia Constabulary to ensure that all advanced drivers know what they can and cannot do when driving vehicles above the posted speed limit. Our guidelines are in accordance with national training guidelines.’
The week-long trial at Ludlow Magistrates’ Court was shown footage taken from the camera fitted to a West Mercia Police Vauxhall Vectra.
Milton was seen travelling over 100mph on A-roads and up to 159mph on the M54 during the early hours of December 5, 2003.
Milton claimed he was only doing what he was trained to do – honing his skills at the wheel.
He also claimed that the readings shown on the tape, which fluctuated wildly, were not accurate.
Defending his conduct, the policeman claimed that he had been encouraged by his trainers to practice his driving skills. Outside court, Andy White, chairman of the West Mercia Police Federation, said an appeal against the conviction had already been lodged.
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