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Date Published: 22/08/2022

Couple holidaying in Murcia, Spain fined for speeding 2,400km away in the UK

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The car belonging to the pair was captured speeding by a traffic camera in Manchester whilst they were enjoying a break in the Region of Murcia

Couple holidaying in Murcia, Spain fined for speeding 2,400km away in the UK

A bewildered couple's dream holiday in Murcia took a bizarre turn when they returned from their break to a fine and threat of prosecution for speeding in Manchester whilst they were sunning themselves more than 2,400km away in Spain for 13 days.

Gary Thornburn and Clare Beards from Leeds had left their car with a valet parking firm at Manchester Airport on August 3 before heading off for the south of Spain.

But when they returned almost a fortnight later, the baffled pair were met with a prosecution notice from Greater Manchester Police for speeding in a 30mph zone 10 miles from the airport – two days after they had left their white Golf GTI with the meet and greet service.

Images showed a car which allegedly had the same vehicle registration flouting the speed restrictions on August 5, but the car had not left the parking lot and the key had apparently been stored securely, meaning it must have been a different car, according to airport officials.

The couple have appealed against the prosecution notice, and police have assured that any appeal against a speeding notice will see proceedings continue "until the full circumstances are established to determine if there is any case to answer".

Mr Thornburn told the Manchester Evening News: "I knew they take the cars off site to somewhere else but you don't think you'll be accused of speeding 11 miles away from the airport."

"We used the official meet and greet firm as we wanted to make sure the car was looked after because it was very expensive. I wouldn't have ever thought somebody would've been driving around in it going at such a speed. It's a criminal offence and extremely dangerous going 55mph in a 30 zone," he added.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said that once management had been notified, an immediate investigation was launched. This reportedly indicated the car was booked in with Meet & Greet car parking, "but remained in a secure storage area until it was collected by the customer on their return. The key to the vehicle was also securely stored throughout".

"Further investigations indicate the vehicle shown in the speed camera image is different to the one that was left with us. While the customer concerned has not made a complaint to Manchester Airport, we have made several attempts to speak with them directly, in order to share our findings and remain eager to do so, as well as assisting the police in any enquiries they wish to make into the matter."

Also of interest: Escaped donkey brings traffic to a halt on AP-7 dual carriageway in Cartagena

Image: Facebook

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