Ветеран полиции из графства Дарем предстанет перед судом за повреждение восьми светофоров

A County Durham forces’ veteran is to stand trial for causing damage to eight sets of traffic lights, at a cost of more than £5,000. Defendant Michael Humble accepts damaging the traffic lights in the Bishop Auckland and Crook areas, in May and June this year, but he claims he had a lawful excuse as he believes they pose a health risk. Durham Crown Court was told that Humble is of the belief that the radar system fitted to the traffic lights are, “detrimental to human health.” Humble appeared at a plea hearing at the court, where the eight counts of damaging property without lawful excuse were put to him. All the damaged lights, belonging to Durham County Council, were on roads in the Bishop Auckland and Crook areas, between May 10 and June 2. The 43-year-old defendant, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to all eight charges. Asked by Judge Richard Clews what his defence to the allegations would be, Humble’s counsel, Sophie Johnstone, said he considered he had a “lawful”, or “reasonable excuse”. She told the court: “What he says is that it’s not the traffic lights, it’s the radar system on top of them which are detrimental to human health. “It was his belief in doing what he was doing was protection of the general public. “It was his intention to hand them into police.” Miss Johnstone said the defendant reported his concerns to police last year that the radar systems pose a potential health hazard to humans, due to the risk of developing a type of brain cancer. She said the defendant “took it upon himself to take action”, and that he did not necessarily damage the traffic lights, themselves, but the radar system on them. “He accepts identification and disabling the radar systems, but he didn’t necessarily damage the traffic light system.” Miss Johnstone said the defendant intends to be supported by expert medical evidence at trial. Martin Towers, for the prosecution, said although there is no “global figure” as to the overall damage caused, he understood it to be in excess of £5,000. Judge Clews said there would need to be expert evidence given at trial on behalf of both the prosecution and defence. Read next ... more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here County Durham traffic lights vandalism putting lives at risk The earliest available trial date at the court was agreed for July 17, 2028, but he said the case should be back in court for “a mention”, in May next year. Judge Clews said the defendant would have to assist his lawyers with the preparation of a defence statement, which needs to be presented to the court by December 14. He bailed the defendant to return to court for the “mention” hearing in the case, on May 3, 2027.