3:41pm Wednesday 28th July 2010
By Paul Teed
Two senior Surrey Police officers could still face disciplinary action after they were cleared by a court of attempting to evade speeding convictions.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Harper and Superintendent Jonathan Johncox were accused of making up fake excuses in order to qualify for an exemption from fines and points on their licences.
But a jury at Winchester Crown Court found Supt Johncox, 47, of Thorncroft Drive, Leatherhead, not guilty of misconduct in public office, while Judge Keith Cutler - in a separate trial - ruled that Chief Supt Harper, 45, of Downs Road, Epsom, had no case to answer.
However, Surrey Police said the pair may still face internal disciplinary proceedings.
They were charged after the force carried out an internal review in March last year into historic exemptions from prosecution for speeding offences by officers on duty.
Chief Supt Harper was said to have been caught by a speed camera driving at 53mph in a 40mph zone, on the A217 at Lower Kingswood, in Surrey, on September 15, 2008.
He was accused of doctoring his computerised work diary after recieving a notice of prosecution in order to persuade his line manager, Assistant Chief Constable Ian Dyson, to sign an exemption form.
Supt Johncox was allegedly caught travelling at 66mph in a 50mph zone, on the A246 Epsom Road, in West Clandon, on June 9, 2008.
The court heard he had been driving to his girlfriend's house, but his exemption form said he was delayed by a meeting and had to rush back to police headquarters.
Chief Supt Harper had signed the form for Supt Johncox, the jury heard.
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