M6 sci-fi show trucker spared jail

A Shropshire trucker caught watching Battlestar Galactica while driving along the M6 motorway for 25 miles has been spared jail but has been banned from driving for 15 months.Benjamin John Trotman, of The Hobbins, Bridgnorth, was spotted driving erratically on the northbound stretch of the motorway between Kendal and Penrith in Cumbria by a lorry driver early on December 11 last year.

When the 37-year-old was stopped by police, officers found he had been apparently watching a DVD of episodes of cult sci-fi drama Battlestar Galactica while he had been driving.

At Penrith Magistrates Court today, Trotman was banned from driving for 15 months and ordered to do 225 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay costs of £546.

Trotman had denied dangerous driving but later changed his plea to guilty.

Adrienne Harris, prosecuting, said Trotman was seen veering across the carriageway and driving on the hard shoulder by another lorry driver.

The other driver pulled alongside Trotman’s lorry and saw a DVD player open on the dashboard and a film being played.

“He sounded his horn and gesticulated at the driver but it had no effect and he continued to drive in the same erratic manner,” she said.

The court heard the other driver contacted police and when officers looked in the Trotman’s cab, they found the DVD player closed, but still illuminated, and when they opened it they found files which showed he had been watching episodes of Battlestar Galactica.

Nigel Beeson, for Trotman, said it was a single act of irresponsibility and no-one had been injured.

Chairman of the bench John Findlay said Trotman’s driving had been crimiinally irresponsible.

“Such were the aggravating factors, no-one could complain if you were sent to prison,” he said.

“Considering the alternatives, your disqualification will result in the loss of your employment.”

By Jonathan Wood