Speeding Pc due back in court

A Shropshire police officer accused of driving at up to 159mph while testing his new patrol car will face the judge who convicted him at a hearing this month.

Constable Mark Milton is due to appear before District Judge Peter Wallis at Ludlow Magistrates Court on April 23 for a directions hearing.

The latest court appearance comes after Constable Milton, of Bratton, Telford, won a landmark legal victory to overturn his dangerous driving conviction earlier this year at the High Court.

But two London judges ruled Constable Milton's case should go back before District Judge Wallis who convicted him after a trial at Ludlow last year.

The High Court judges said the case needed "reconsideration" after District Judge Wallis "misdirected himself".

Today Mr David Twigg, Constable Milton's solicitor, said: "It will be a directions hearing on April 23 to give effect to what was said at the High Court and decide how to proceed.

"There may be further evidence to be called. No decision will be made at this hearing but we will be asking when is the reconsideration going to take place and what is the form going to be."

Mr Twigg said the outcome of the case could set a precedent in other dangerous driving cases, especially involving trained drivers in the emergency services.