A speeding driver in Canterbury has paid a hefty price for trying to dodge a fine and points on his licence.

Because instead of a modest penalty, Philip Crowley has been slapped with a bill for £2,000.

The 43-year-old was flashed by the Gatso camera in Pin Hill on the city ring road which recorded him doing 40mph in the 30mph limit.

He was driving a Saab car which was registered to a woman living at the same address who confirmed he was behind the wheel at the time.

But police say that Crowley then began an evasive session of correspondence before finally admitting to being the driver.

He was offered a speed awareness course which he failed to take up and a fixed penalty which he did not pay.

A summons was issued for him to attend court after which he questioning the reliability and operation of the speed camera and its legitimacy.

But Mr Crowley, from Baring Road, London, failed to attend for his trial at Margate Magistrates Court on Monday, June 18 .

The case was proven in his absence and he was fined £200 and his licence endorsed with three penalty points. But he was also ordered to pay prosecution costs totalling £1,800.