POLICE officer David Newell should have known better.

He has been an advanced driver for 18 years and has 31 years driving experience behind the wheel under his belt.

However, none of us are perfect, not even police officers and, considering how long Newell had been driving, it is remarkable perhaps that he only has two speeding convictions, the last of which he appealed.

There is no doubt men like Newell perform a vital role and ought to be commended.

But I suspect the question on everyone’s lips is: “Would a judge treat me the same?”

If I had been travelling at 50mph in a 30mph and I appealed would a judge reduce the number of points on my licence from five to three?

I don’t know the answer but there is a perception that certain police officers expect special treatment and sometimes get it.

One could argue that an experienced police driver who breaks the rules of the road should be treated more harshly than the average man or woman.

But no doubt our readers will make up their own minds on the fairness of this case.