A POLICE officer found himself on the wrong side of the law this week when he appeared before Skipton Magistrates for speeding.

Matthew Lucas Troake, 27, appeared in court in uniform on Wednesday after admitting driving his Audi TT cabriolet 45mph over the legal speed limit on one of Britain's worst roads. Troake was off-duty when he drove at 105mph on the A65 Settle by-pass, towards Skipton, on April 16.

Police officers in an unmarked police car stopped him after clocking up the speed while he was overtaking. Troake said he had been overtaking a driver who was on a mobile phone and driving erratically.

Magistrates were told the policeman, of Green Lane, Oakworth, was part of Wakefield's operational support unit, and could be called out at any time of day.

His lawyer said he would no longer be able to continue in the unit if he was disqualified and would have to work in a different police department.

The court was also told Troake was an advanced driver who had been a response driver for four years.

She added her client was particularly remorseful and shameful of his actions because he takes his job seriously and is held in high esteem.

Magistrates said Troake had expressed remorse and fined him £250. He was given six penalty points and will also pay £45 court costs.