121mph SPEED COP

A FORMER speed cop is facing criminal and disciplinary charges after being caught doing 121mph by colleagues.

Details of the embarrassing incident for Northern Constabulary emerged just as the force launched its anti-speeding campaign to officially begin on April 1.

Motorists were being targeted earlier in the week - and one of the first to get caught was PC Robert Kennedy.

Newly appointed deputy chief constable Garry Sutherland didn't attempt to deny that one of his officers had been charged with a speeding offence before their high- profile campaign begun.

But he refused to reveal details of PC Kennedy's alleged indiscretion after 14 years' service with the Highland police.

"No-one is immune from the speeding campaign," said the deputy chief consable. "It gives me no pleasure to say that one of my officers was charged with a speeding offence this week."

Kennedy, from Inverness, was withthe force's traffic unit before being seconded to train advanced drivers and police recruits.

The 40-year-old dad-of-two teaches budding traffic cops and experienced drivers how to deal with dangerous high-speed chases as well as road traffic techniques. But he fell foul of his ex- colleagues last Sunday as he drove home from a football match in Carrbridge, 22 miles from Inverness.

It is claimed that he stepped on the gas on the notorious A9 and was spotted doing 121mph in a 70mph zone by an unmarked police car equipped with hi-tech VASCAR anti-speeding equipment.

His colleagues are said to have chased him for a short distance before stopping him. Though they realised they had nabbed one of their own, they still charged him.

Further enquiries were carried out and PC Kennedy was hauled before senior officers on Monday to be told he was being suspended.

A report has gone to the Inverness procurator fiscal and he may face charges. He will also have to face a disciplinary inquiry and could lose his job, depending on the outcome of any criminal case.

A colleague said: "It is a real embarrassment for Bobby. He is really good at his job."

Northern Constabulary and Grampian Police united to launch the the latest action to reduce road accidents on Friday.

The joint initiative, Operation Brake, is part of National No Speeding Day (April 1) and aimed at drivers in the Highlands and Islands and Grampian.

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