Speeding Durham Police driver disciplined over 140mph Published duration 24 January 2014

A police driver has been disciplined after a prisoner he was transporting reported him for driving at 140mph.

The Durham Police officer was travelling from Leeds to Darlington in December in a marked BMW 330.

He began speeding when he was asked by his passenger how fast the car could go, the Northern Echo said.

A force spokesman said the 35-year-old's police driving licence had been suspended and he had been moved permanently from road policing duties.

'Professional sanction'

Head of professional standards Supt Darren Ellis said: "The officer in question was an advanced and highly skilled police driver and there was no suggestion that the vehicle was driven dangerously at any time.

"This error of judgement on behalf of the officer is as a result of a single incident and there is no evidence to suggest a pattern of behaviour. The officer's conduct prior to the incident had been exemplary."

He said that, after a full investigation, it was felt "professional sanction" was more appropriate than criminal proceedings.

The PC has been subject to "an action plan concerning risk management and decision-making".