A motorist prosecuted for driving at 98mph has escaped a driving ban - after proving that his 14-year-old car has a top speed of 85mph.
Dale Lyle, 21, took action when he was told a mobile speed camera had clocked him at nearly 100mph in his 1.3 litre Honda Civic.
He contested the accusation in court so magistrates then challenged him to 'prove it'.
To gather evidence to back up his claim, Mr Lyle, from Staple Hill, Bristol, paid £600 to buy back the car he had already sold.
Then he paid a further £600 for an independent driving expert to take the car on a two-mile test circuit at top speed.
The results showed that even when driven flat out the Honda could only do 85.4mph in fourth gear and 81.3mph in fifth - proving his innocence.
The financial worker, who has a clean licence, presented his evidence in court which undermined the credibility of the Crown Prosecution Service's case and had the charge against him dropped.
A CPS spokesman said: 'We came to the conclusion that there was no longer sufficient evidence to provide a prospect of a conviction.
As regards the £1,200 paid out by Mr Lyle to prove his case, he added: 'Recompense is a matter between the defendant and the court.'
Mr Lyle, who had faced a maximum £1,000 fine and six-month ban for the speeding charge, said: 'I'm really glad I fought the system and won but I think I will have trouble getting the money I spent back.'
Dale Lyle, 21, took action when he was told a mobile speed camera had clocked him at nearly 100mph in his 1.3 litre Honda Civic.
He contested the accusation in court so magistrates then challenged him to 'prove it'.
To gather evidence to back up his claim, Mr Lyle, from Staple Hill, Bristol, paid £600 to buy back the car he had already sold.
Then he paid a further £600 for an independent driving expert to take the car on a two-mile test circuit at top speed.
The results showed that even when driven flat out the Honda could only do 85.4mph in fourth gear and 81.3mph in fifth - proving his innocence.
The financial worker, who has a clean licence, presented his evidence in court which undermined the credibility of the Crown Prosecution Service's case and had the charge against him dropped.
A CPS spokesman said: 'We came to the conclusion that there was no longer sufficient evidence to provide a prospect of a conviction.
As regards the £1,200 paid out by Mr Lyle to prove his case, he added: 'Recompense is a matter between the defendant and the court.'
Mr Lyle, who had faced a maximum £1,000 fine and six-month ban for the speeding charge, said: 'I'm really glad I fought the system and won but I think I will have trouble getting the money I spent back.'
He has been to the magistrates, they said prove it, he has.
Can he sue the CPS or the magistrates court?
Would like to see PCs and photo copiers being lifted out of a CPS office by bailifs
Love the spokesmans comment. Fcuking tool. I could have come to the conclusion that the car couldn´t have done that fast when told it was a 1.3 Civic!!!