Radar ‘finger’ could mean four-month jail term

A driver is facing a four-month prison sentence – for giving two speed cameras ‘the finger’.

Prosecutors in Roanne, Loire, recommended the jail term for ‘insulting behaviour to a public servant’ as camera centre staff in Rennes must by law view the photos to determine if speeding charges could be laid.

The 46-year-old driver, from Regny, Loire, had admitted speeding and giving a ‘doigt d’honneur’ to two automatic speed cameras at Saint-Forgeux-Lespinasse, Loire, and then Bessay-sur-Allier, Allier in May 2015.

He had paid the speeding fines but contested the ‘finger’ offence, his lawyer saying he could not be convicted of insulting a machine.

However, the man had also been charged with trying to obscure his number plate and officers at Rennes had to work on the photo to identify his car.

A verdict will be given next month, when he will also be sentence for drink-driving last August.