On-duty speed enforcement officer abused and threated by a motorist who then boasted about the incident on social media

A man has been slapped with a fine after abusing a police speed enforcement officer before boasting about it on social media.

Luke Sarkozi, of Long Cross in Lawrence Weston, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence when he appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court in December 2021.

The 34-year-old was ordered to pay a fine, costs and compensation totalling £349.

The incident happened while the speed enforcement motorcycle officer was carrying out duties on the B4054 Avonmouth Road in Shirehampton in May 2021.

Although not subject to enforcement action, the man pulled his car up, got out and verbally abused and made threats towards the speed enforcement officer.

He then boasted about the incident on social media, leading to his identification and prosecution.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “Speed limits are in place to maintain road safety and the aim of enforcement is to deter people from speeding in order to keep our roads safe for everyone who uses them.

“Our speed enforcement officers carry out their duties in locations where members of the community have raised concerns about road safety and asked us to take enforcement action.

“Such abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and whenever possible will lead to prosecution.”