A MOTORIST now has a prison sentence hanging over her after using a jammer device to avoid her car being detected by speed cameras.

Debra Anne Brown was handed a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay a hefty fine at Teesside Crown Court for having a laser jammer device fixed to her BMW.

The 56-year-old, of Front Street, Appleton Wiske, North Yorkshire was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and given a nine-month suspended prison sentence, suspended for 18-months.

She was also ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

The court heard how on the morning of November 10, 2017, Brown was driving her BMW 135i along the A170 near the village of Nawton, between Helmsley and Kirbymoorside when a safety camera van from North Yorkshire Police's Traffic Bureau attempted to measure her vehicle's speed.

The Northern Echo: The A170 near Nawton, North Yorkshire Picture: GoogleThe A170 near Nawton, North Yorkshire Picture: Google

Believing that she was travelling in excess of the speed limit, the safety camera van made four successive attempts to capture the speed of Brown’s BMW.

However, due to interference being received from the vehicle – the camera was unable to determine how fast she was travelling.

North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation into the incident which was led by Traffic Constable Andrew Forth.

Brown’s vehicle was seized and an examination revealed that the BMW had been fitted with a Laser Pro Park device, which was connected to a Speed Cheetah.

The Northern Echo: The BMW was found to be fitter with a laser jammer device to fool speed camerasThe BMW was found to be fitter with a laser jammer device to fool speed cameras

When questioned about the device, Brown stated it had been fitted to assist her when parking.

Following a two-day hearing, a jury found her guilty of perverting the course of justice and using the jammer to avoid prosecution.

Speaking about the investigation and result at court on Friday, Traffic Constable Andrew Forth said:

“This is the seventh person to be successfully prosecuted in North Yorkshire for using a laser jammer device in an attempt to lift themselves above the law and protect themselves from a potential speeding prosecution.

“Using this equipment in this way puts other innocent, law abiding road users at risk by people believing that they can travel at speed with complete immunity from prosecution.

“As the result today shows, this will not be tolerated and myself and my colleagues at the North Yorkshire Police Traffic Bureau will ensure offenders are investigated and brought to justice.

“My advice to those who have these devices fitted to their vehicles, who think they are untouchable, is - remove it.

"Today’s court result shows; if you are found to be using the device to pervert the course of justice, you face a criminal record and a very large fine.”