Driver caught waving speed camera warning sign in village near Earls Barton claimed it was "exercise"

A driver who hurled abuse at a speed camera van in Ecton waved a homemade sign warning others of its presence - before telling police he was out exercising when challenged.

Yesterday (Thursday) at about 11am police were monitoring speed on the A4500 near The World's End pub when a 30-year-old Northampton man stopped to shout abuse and swear at them.

He then drove down the road in his black Ford Fiesta and took out a sign that said 'speed camera!' in spray paint, waving it in the air to warn other motorists of its presence.

And when police came out to speak to him he claimed he was getting his daily dose of exercise.

On social media PC Dave Lee from the Safer Roads Team said: "Male who drove by the enforcement van shouting and swearing abuse is further down the road waving this sign about.

"As I’m in an unmarked car he showed me as well, not realising who I was. Apparently he is out exercising."

A police spokesman said the man was reported for breaching the Covid-19 regulations.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.