A hairdresser’s brush with the law over a contested speeding ticket could end up costing him a packet.

Marcus George is preparing for a showdown in court because he is adamant he was not over the limit when he was zapped in Canterbury.

A mobile camera operator parked in Rheims Way recorded him doing 48mph in a 40mph zone

But Mr George, 35, a self-employed stylist at Antoniou’s in Orange Street, insists he was not speeding – despite being sent photographic evidence by the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership.

The dad-of-two, from Bridge, now says he would rather pay a fine than admit to something he has not done.

He said: “I had my children in the car so was being cautious. Even my daughter saw the police van and asked what it was.

“I would rather pay out than admit to something I haven’t done...” - Marcus George

“I told her it was the police catching baddies and didn’t think any more of it until the fixed penalty notice arrived in the post two weeks later.

“I thought there must be a mistake because I’ve heard these things can happen so I wrote back to them asking for the evidence and the accuracy certificate for the speed camera,.

“Although they sent me the photo of my car and the other information, I’m still not happy because I know I wasn’t doing that speed and so can’t admit to it.

“I even got someone to check the accuracy of the speedometer in my car, just in case that was the problem, but it’s working properly.”

Mr George says he has been studying past cases and believes the cameras can occasionally give erroneous readings.

He said: “It will probably end up costing me a packet because I’ll end up paying the costs if I lose, but it’s a matter of principle.

“I would rather pay out than admit to something I haven’t done.”

Mr George says that having pleaded not guilty, he is now waiting for a date for a trial to be fixed.

If convicted, he could face a fine of up to £2,500.