Funeral fine

Police gave tickets to drivers who jumped a red light — while in a FUNERAL CORTEGE.

Five got £60 fixed penalty notices or summonses to appear in court after being flashed by a camera. Family and friends of David Franks — who died in his sleep from a blood clot last month aged just 35 — slammed the heartless bureaucrats.

Ex-partner Amanda Miller fumed: “It’s utterly outrageous. I’m still grieving and this has made it so much worse.”
She said there were 25 cars in the cortege in Laindon, Essex, and many drivers did not know the way to the church. When the lights turned red before everyone had passed, other motorists respectfully stayed put and flashed the last few cars through.

Amanda, who has a five-year-old daughter Daisy by David, phoned the camera enforcement unit and was told to write in.

But even after including a letter from the funeral firm they were told the fines and three endorsement points would stand. Amanda said: “I spoke to a very officious woman who told me ‘rules are rules’.”

Essex Police said: “We look at all the issues, including the overall risk to public safety.”