Skip to content

Man sentenced for harassing speed camera team

Louise Parry
Adam Flynn/BBC A police officer is seen from behind as he faces the boot of a van. He wears a high vis neon jacket with POLICE written on. A speed camera is set up behind him. Adam Flynn/BBC
Paulius Charitonovas hid near police vans and tried to catch road safety staff, as well as attempting to film them, police said

A man who carried out a "prolonged campaign of harassment" against a road safety camera team has been given a two-year restraining order.

Northamptonshire Police said Paulius Charitonovas "repeatedly targeted" five people working as speed enforcement operatives across the county between March 2025 and May this year.

As well as hassling them about their activities, he filmed them and posted videos online, which had "a considerable impact on those affected", police said.

Charitonovas, 43, of Plantagenet Square in Northampton, pleaded guilty to five counts of harassment at the town's magistrates' court, and was also sentenced to a 12-month community order and 300 hours of unpaid work.

Charitonovas targeted the police's Road Safety Enforcement Team 33 times.

The force said "on numerous occasions" he went beyond simply approaching the vehicles, and attempted "to catch operatives unaware by hiding nearby".

On one occasion he crossed four lanes of a dual carriageway in order to reach the enforcement van.

Simon Humphreys/BBC A white police van with the neon and blue checked markings across the base of the van, and a sign of a speed camera on the blacked-out back window. The words across the side read: Safety Camera Team. It is parked in a car park, with two more vans seen in the background.Simon Humphreys/BBC
Northamptonshire Police said the speed enforcement vans "play an important role in reducing casualties and encouraging safer driving"

At other times, Charitonovas used a stick-mounted camera in an effort to film through windows.

He uploaded footage to both personal and public pages on Facebook, which police said "amplified the impact of the harassment".

Northamptonshire Police said the court was told about "a persistent and escalating pattern of behaviour" that was "not motivated by any legitimate purpose".

PC Mo Allsopp-Clarke from the force's Safer Roads Team said: "Our speed enforcement operatives are simply doing their job to help keep people safe on Northamptonshire's roads, and they should not face harassment, intimidation or unwanted attention."

Allsopp-Clarke added that money raised from speeding tickets went to central government and not to Northamptonshire Police.

"Decisions about enforcement activity are based on road safety considerations, not revenue generation," they said.

"Our sole focus is preventing collisions, reducing injuries and saving lives.

"We will continue to support our enforcement staff and take action against anyone who targets them for carrying out this important public safety role."

The restraining order prevents Charitonovas from going on foot within 200 metres of a speed enforcement vehicle, and from approaching speed enforcement officers or interfering with their duties.

Do you have a story suggestion for Northamptonshire? Contact us below.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related internet links