A DRIVER who used a 'laser jammer' to block speed cameras has been jailed for three months and fined £1,500.

Michael Twizell, 58, from Dewsbury, was driving a BMW on the A658 near Harrogate when he passed a police camera van last February.

The camera operator discovered an error on the equipment and police launched an investigation. They found he was using a device that illegally interferes with cameras.

Twizell was sentenced for perverting the course of justice at York Crown Court, where the judge told him the police “have a duty to protect us from speeding vehicles”.

He said there was no choice but to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

Andy Forth, from North Yorkshire Police's traffic investigation team, said: “To use a device which is capable of interfering with police speed measurement is clearly as shown today a very serious matter.

“Drivers may face a custodial sentence for using such a device in this way.

“North Yorkshire Police will continue to investigate similar allegations when people use these devices to interfere with the normal course of justice.

“I advise anyone who may have a similar device fitted to their vehicle to think about the consequences of using such a device and strongly recommend that they remove it from their vehicle to avoid a future prosecution.”