LONDON (Reuters) - A truck driver prosecuted for obstructing police by alerting motorists to a speed trap won the backing of three law lords in a test case Monday when they ruled in his favor.
Trucker Charles Glendinning was convicted last year by magistrates in Somerset of willful obstruction after police said he waved a warning to other road-users about a speed trap on the A303 at Tinkers Hill, Stoke Trister.
Although the decision was overturned at Taunton Crown Court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) took the case to the High Court, which in turn also backed Glendinning.
Now three law lords, headed by the former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Bingham, have again ruled in Glendinning's favor and have refused the DPP permission to appeal.
When the High Court considered the case in February, Mr Justice Owen said there was no evidence that any of the motorists warned by Glendinning had been breaking the speed limit or were about to do so.
Owen added that some people might think the police ought to appreciate the efforts of others to prevent speeding.
Trucker Charles Glendinning was convicted last year by magistrates in Somerset of willful obstruction after police said he waved a warning to other road-users about a speed trap on the A303 at Tinkers Hill, Stoke Trister.
Although the decision was overturned at Taunton Crown Court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) took the case to the High Court, which in turn also backed Glendinning.
Now three law lords, headed by the former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Bingham, have again ruled in Glendinning's favor and have refused the DPP permission to appeal.
When the High Court considered the case in February, Mr Justice Owen said there was no evidence that any of the motorists warned by Glendinning had been breaking the speed limit or were about to do so.
Owen added that some people might think the police ought to appreciate the efforts of others to prevent speeding.