A motorist in North Yorkshire has been banned after being filmed by a camera van while driving with his hands behind his head.

Richard Newton, 36, from Whitby, was found guilty at Scarborough Magistrates' Court of dangerous driving. In addition to the ban, he was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community and was fined £625 with a £60 surcharge. 

Newton was captured by North Yorkshire Police's mobile safety camera on the A171 near Scaling Dam reservoir at around 6.20pm on Friday August 9, 2013. 

He was filmed as he drove past the safety camera van with both hands on his head, and continued along the road for around 25 seconds driving at between 60 to 63mph. 

The road is a two-way 'A' road with a solid white line on his side. Numerous vehicles passed him on the opposite side of the road.

Dave Brown, who heads North Yorkshire Police's mobile safety camera team, said: "This case demonstrates two things, one is the sheer stupidity of some people who put others in danger, and the other is the ability of our safety camera to capture a range of offences. 

"This is yet another case which shows that these cameras are about safety and not just speeding. We will take action against all manner of offences to ensure we keep our roads as safe as possible for everyone."
 

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