Grumpy Dorset Driver Obstructed and Abused Speed Camera Operator

A grumpy Dorset driver obstructed and abused a speed camera operator.

Richard Arnold, 61, of Bournemouth, admitted offences of obstructing a designated person and disorderly behaviour when he recently appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court.

As Arnold has now discovered, it is an offence under section 46 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to wilfully obstruct a designated person, like a speed camera operator, in the exercise of their duties. The maximum sentence on summary conviction is one months' custody and/or a fine at level 3 (£1,000).

Magistrates heard that camera operator Richard Mackenzie was carrying out speed enforcement duties on the A348 at Ferndown, Dorset, on Tuesday, 29th October 2024.

Robert Salamé, prosecuting, said: "At 12.34pm the defendant stopped his Peugeot tipper-type vehicle in the layby to take a phone call, obstructing the view of the camera.

"Mr Mackenzie informed the driver he was compromising the ability of the camera and asked him to move. He ignored this request because he was on the phone."

At the second time of asking, Arnold became abusive and told Mr Mackenzie to "fuck off".

Arnold's brother, who was a passenger in the Peugeot, also became abusive towards the officer, who by this time had radioed for police assistance and was making his van to the sanctuary of his van.

Mr Mackenzie tried to placate Arnold by saying "I'm just doing my job", to which the irate motorist replied "And I'm doing mine, so go fuck yourself".

Body worn video caught the defendant calling Mr Mackenzie a "fucking jobsworth" and telling him "I want to report you for being a fucking prick".

Arnold's closing volley was to tell Mr Mackenzie that he hoped he returned home to find his family dead.

Representing himself Arnold told the court: "The phone went in my truck and my hands free wasn't working so I thought I would do the right thing and pull into the layby."

He explained that his baby grandson had been admitted to hospital the previous day, so it was important he took the call.

Arnold continued: "I said things I shouldn't have said and I apologise to the court for that. It was a foolish mistake and will never happen again."

Iain Stevenson JP, Presiding Justice, said: "As we saw in the video, this was a pretty horrendous incident. It was very frightening and completely unwarranted upon the police support officer.

"There are absolutely no mitigating circumstances in that video. Your behaviour was frankly diabolical and appalling, towards somebody doing their duty."

Magistrates were of the view that Arnold's offences were serious enough to justify a community order.

He was sentenced to 12-month community order with 120 hours' unpaid work requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £150 in compensation, £114 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

What horrendous behaviour and so unnecessary. Had Arnold simply continued his phone call and wandered off down the verge then this would never have got to court.