Northampton man sentenced for harassment after approaching speed van operatives 33 times in three months
A Northampton man has been sentenced following a “campaign of harassment”, which saw him approach and film speed van operatives 33 in times three months.
Paulius Charitonovas, of Plantagenet Square, appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on October 27, where he pleaded guilty to five counts of harassment.
Northamptonshire Police says the 43-year-old approached enforcement vans 33 times between March 2025 and May 2026, challenging the operatives about their presence and activities, as well as repeatedly attempting to film staff inside their vehicles. This formed part of a wider campaign, which took place across the county, over a prolonged period of 14 months.
A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “On numerous occasions, Charitonovas went beyond simply approaching the vehicles with his conduct including attempting to catch operatives unaware by hiding nearby and suddenly approaching. At other times, he used a camera mounted on a stick in an effort to film through windows that could not otherwise be accessed.
“On one occasion, he crossed four lanes of a dual carriageway in order to approach the enforcement van.
“The footage he took was subsequently uploaded to his personal Facebook account and shared on a public social media page, designed to attract attention, generate comments and engagement from other users, and increase his online following.”
Speaking after sentencing, PC Mo Allsopp-Clarke from the Safer Roads Team added: “The prolonged and deliberate nature of Mr Charitonovas’s actions had a significant impact on the members of staff involved, and we welcome the court's recognition of that harm.
“There are also some common misconceptions about speed enforcement and speeding fines that I would like to challenge.
“Money raised from speeding tickets does not go to Northamptonshire Police. It actually goes directly to central government. Decisions about enforcement activity are based on road safety considerations, not revenue generation. Our sole focus is preventing collisions, reducing injuries and saving lives.”
Charitonovas was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 300 hours of unpaid work. A two-year restraining order was also issued which prevents him from going within 200 metres of any fixed or mobile speed enforcement vehicle or any officer operating speed enforcement equipment.