A driver has been warned that he faces a prison sentence for moving a 40mph sign ten miles away into a 30mph zone to avoid a speeding fine.
John Hopwood, 44, was told by a judge at Manchester Crown Court that his behaviour was not only foolish but could have put other motorists at risk. The care assistant was caught on speed cameras on consecutive days travelling at 48mph in a 40mph zone along Princess Road, a busy main road in Manchester, and then at 41mph in a 30mph zone in suburban Rochdale.
Hopwood, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, challenged both findings. To support his case he enclosed a photograph of a 40mph restriction sign in both letters. The problem was, it was the same sign in both cases.
The only explanation was that he had unscrewed the sign from its rightful spot in Manchester and moved it to Rochdale.
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Hopwood, who works for Manchester City Council, initially denied being responsible. But he changed his mind and pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice when the case came to court.