A woman driver told Truro magistrates she was shocked when she received a |letter saying she owed more than £700 to a court after |she was caught by a speed camera.

Nicole Tracey Robins, aged 53, of Beacon Terrace, Helston, made a statutory declaration that she was not aware of the court hearing when a financial penalty was made against her in her absence and said she had been having trouble receiving post.

The case was dealt with there and then and she pleaded guilty to speeding, driving at 38 mph in a 30mph limit on March 15.

She said she had been following another car and when she saw the speed camera she slowed down, but saw it flash and realised she had been caught. “It is the first time I have speeded,” she added.

The original fine was quashed, and Truro magistrates fined her £60 with £105 costs and surcharge.