THE former head of a North-East police force's driving school will face a trial after being accused of speeding at 118mph through an accident blackspot.

Paul Gee said he was carrying out a risk assessment for Durham Police's advanced driving school, based at Aykley Heads, in Durham City, where traffic policemen are trained.

The 48-year-old, who has recently retired from his job as an inspector with the force, was caught by a mobile camera positioned on a bridge over the M9 at Kinnaird, near Falkirk, in Scotland.

He was in uniform and driving a marked 5-Series BMW diesel as he carried out the assessment for the force's advanced driving course.

Yesterday, at a technical hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court, Martin Morrow, defending, said Mr Gee, from Heddon On The Wall, Northumberland, pleaded not guilty to the speeding offence.

It is alleged to have been committed on November 3 last year.

Mr Gee did not attend the hearing.

Sheriff Charlie McNair set the trial for January 14, with a pre-trial review on January 4.

Mr Gee retired as a police officer earlier this month after 30 years' service.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "While we would not comment on pending court proceedings, we can confirm that at the time of his retirement there were no outstanding misconduct proceedings against him.

"He retired after 30 years services, which many officers do as they are entitled to full pension rights following that length of service."

As with all speeding cases in Scotland, the trial will be heard on a summary level by a sheriff sitting without a jury.

In a statement issued last year, when the alleged offence came to light, Durham police said that forces in Scotland along the route were told that the training school car would be in their areas.

However, officers said the route had been changed at the last minute to go through Central Scotland Police's area - a police force which had not been informed.

At the time, Neil MacSporran, manager of the Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership, said the speed trap was at a spot where there had been serious road crashes, including fatal accidents.