A BOURNEMOUTH businessman lost his two-year fight to challenge a speeding ticket after a judge decided the 50mph signs on the Wessex Way are legal.

Robert Houtman, 53, had refused to pay his £60 fine and take three points on his licence in July 2003 claiming the sign on the A338 coming into Bournemouth was illegal.

His defence claimed that as the camera sign underneath the 50mph mark did not have a border, it breached Department of Transport regulations. This could have made all such tickets issued since it was put up in 1999 invalid.

But at Poole Magistrates' Court yesterday District Judge Roger House said: "I do not accept it invalidated the speed restriction signs. That in every respect it is as it ought to be.

"It is lawful. In this case I conclude there was a speed limit in place and I find it was technically sound."

Houtman, who runs the National Slimming Centre in Old Christ-church Road, was caught doing 58mph along the Wessex Way.

Mr House yesterday ordered him to pay £60 and take the three points, and pay £1,200 costs. Houtman is looking into taking his case to the High Court.

He said after the case: "I'm disappointed and don't believe justice was served today. I believe, taking my expert's advice, that there is no speed limit on the Wessex Way."

Mark Hensleigh, defending the case, had told the court: "We do not accept there was a speed limit. If we do not have a sign we do not have a speed limit."

John Montague, for the prosecution, had argued: "The law says the camera icon does not influence the 50mph sign at all. Any driver on the Wessex Way cannot be misled by that sign."

First published: October 15