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http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... -19974717/

‘Mr Snail’ caught speeding by North Wales Police

Oct 19 2007 by Carl Butler, Daily Post

A MOTORIST only ever stopped once by police – for driving too slowly – has vowed to fight a speeding charge.

Paul Sheen proudly describes himself as “Mr Snail” and is determined to fight claims he was driving at 35mph in a 30mph limit.

In fact, Mr Sheen’s driving is so “careful” it has been known to infuriate other motorists.

The 51-year-old, from High Street, Connah’s Quay, is so sure the police speed gun must be wrong, he will press for his court case to be thrown out.

Rather than pay the £60 fine and accept three points on his licence, Mr Sheen decided to challenge the prosecution in court.

He is convinced the police camera did not give a true reading.

Mr Sheen was driving his Vauxhall Astra on the A5104 at Broughton in January when he was captured by a North Wales’ Police speed gun doing 35mph in a 30mph zone.

After pleading not guilty at an earlier hearing he now plans to defend himself.

He said: “It’s like trying to book a snail for speeding, but they have picked on the wrong snail I’m afraid.”

Mr Sheen was caught on camera as he headed to his home in Connah’s Quay intending to return to Chester to care for his elderly mother who lives in Huntington.

He added: “I have got a clean driving licence. I have been stopped once by Cheshire police for driving too slow. I got out of my car and apologised. I’m so cautious, that’s why this prosecution is beyond belief.

“I get so many V-signs from other drivers because I am so steady.”

After requesting the video in the case, Mr Sheen was interested to see an error message flash up on the screen which suggested an unstable reading before the speed of his vehicle, 35mph, momentarily came into view.

“If I believe something’s not right I will fight it even if I’m up against a lion,’’ added Mr Sheen, an antiques dealer, who could face a fine of up to £1,000 and six points on his licence if found guilty in court.

“I think it’s a bigger story and I’m not the only person. They just rely on people paying up,” he added.

Mr Sheen is fully behind the campaign to get motorists to stick to the speed limit but wonders if cameras are sometimes used as ‘’a revenue-raising exercise’’.

He said the camera which caught him was located within a 30mph zone but close to the start of a de-restricted 70mph dual carriageway in an area which was not built-up.

“There are no houses either side. You would probably not hit a hedgehog.”

Mr Sheen faces a trial before Mold magistrates on October 31. But he is applying for the case to be struck out at a pre-trial review.

The Crown Prosecution Service did not wish to comment.