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Video: The moment a motorist blew up a speed camera
Last updated at 12:22pm on 07.09.06
Craig Moore was jailed for four months
A man who blew up a roadside camera to destroy evidence of his speeding was today jailed for four months.
Railway worker Craig Moore, 28, from Doncaster, used an explosive substance taken from his work welding railway lines to destroy the camera, Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
Watch the CCTV of Moore blowing up the camera
See also:
• Lucrative speed camera nets £1.2m in a year
The explosion caused £11,700 damage to the camera, which had flashed him exceeding the speed limit in the Hyde area of the city last August.
But Moore's plan backfired because photographs of his speeding and footage of him returning to sabotage the camera were stored in recording equipment in its base, which escaped damage.
Moore admitted a charge of damaging property at a hearing last month.
The Vital Rail employee, who was in a work vehicle with a colleague when he was flashed, feared losing his job and being unable to support his family if he was caught speeding, his defence claimed today.
Reader views (22)
I certainly don't like the fact that I'm photographed 50+ times a day be the imperialist, repressive government. We should blow up every one of these privicy-invading devices & when big brother replaces them, blow up the replacement! -hd
- Honest Dan, des moines, USA
You are not guaranteed anonymity in a public place. If you aren't guilty of doing anything illegal, there is nothing to worry about.
- Frank, USA
The real crime is not that he was speeding. It was not that he blew up the camera. The real crime is that governments use these cameras not for safety, but as revenue generators. That's the real crime that was committed. Unfortunately, you can't jail the government officials that placed the camera.
- Michael Maness, Dallas, Texas
Who among us hasn't entertained the same thoughts? Those things have nothing to do with public safety. They're owned and maintained by contractors who also collect the fines and keep a percentage of it.
- 3dogs, Monroe, MI
While I do not agree with what he did I certainly undersatnd. I think many people are tired of being survailed every moment. I feel like big brother is watching and I don't like it.
- Leland Beritiech, Austin TX , USA
Note to self: Blow up base AND camera next time...
- Goober Mcnutly, Orlando, Florida
This guy is a hero. Those stupid cameras are about control and revenue, not safety.
- Bob, Washington, DC
Finally a Brit standing up to Big Brother! Way to go... the camera's are not for safety, they can't prevent a crime, just another way to raise taxes for the state!
- Phillip, Houston, USA
It is about time governments get rid of thier nanny attitudes and start letting people LIVE! What was he speeding, maybe 5mph over the limit? A limit set to generate revenue? What a crock! I think EVERY person who can should start destroying these damn camera's and get the government back from the money grubbing politicians!
- Me, Bolingbrook, IL
This guy is great! Photo radar vans have nothing to do with law enforcement. All they care about is the money.
- Steve Hunsinger, Denver, USA
He's not too bright is he.
- A Ndy, Tucson, AZ USA
If you don't want to get caught speeding, OBEY the speed limit. It's that simple. Cameras should do more speed enforcement in the US, just like they do in the UK. It's a better use of taxpayer funds and of law enforcement resources.
- Jason, Dallas, Texas
Excellent job, He should have used a bigger explosive.
- Patrick Jay, Grand Haven, MI, USA
If he wasn't breaking the LAW in the first place he wouldn't have had the problem of trying to destroy the evidence. The problem is people think they can get away with what ever they want. Cameras are a great way to enforce the laws when there is not enough law enforement personnel. If you get caught pay your dues. If you dont break the law you have nothing to worry about.
- Kevin, Texas, USA
What an idiot, he should get time in jail......
- Jim James, Boston, Mass.
Great Work! He is a hero.
- The Basement, Las Vegas, Nevada
This bloke violated the traffic law and then stole an explosive device from his employer. Now he seeks to garner sympathy for his wrongful actions by pointing to his need to care for his family.
Cameras may be Orwellian, but Craig Moore's actions are simply inexcusable.
- Mark Hubbell, Salem, Oregon, USA
Good job my friend. Too bad you got caught...
- Jimbo, Virginia USA
That's just awesome, I commend him for his work!
- Robert, USA
He may have only done what most would want to do to those cameras, the difference is most people have enough sense not to do it.
- Brad, Santee, California, USA
Good work there, it's about time people took action against these revenue generators, there are better ways to make a road 'safe' and having silly cameras definitely isn't the way.
- Sassylad, Notting Hill
This bloke has only done what many would dearly love to do. Britain has become the nightmare envisaged by George Orwell in his novel 1984...it is no wonder so many people are emigrating. Petty vindictive jobsworths dictating every aspect of our lives.
- James Ritchie, London, UK
