A high-ranking police chief has been cleared of any wrongdoing by his bosses after it was claimed he bent the rules to dodge a £60 speeding fine.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Roberts sparked outrage when he alleged he could not remember who was at the wheel of his car when it was caught speeding on a roadside speed camera.

His Citroen ZX was being driven over the speed limit in a 30mph zone on Yarm Road, Stockton, Teesside, in April this year.

But, after making representations to senior colleagues, the fixed penalty ticket was written off.

Critics claimed the officer, who replaced Ray Mallon as the head of Middlesbrough CID, had exploited the system.

In normal circumstances, the police chief would have been given the option of accepting the fine, plus three points, or pleading not guilty.

As it is, Mr Roberts, 36, was told the matter would not be pursued and details of the alleged offence were not passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Det Supt Roberts had refused to comment since the furore blew up last month, though he is understood to be "firm" in his belief that his actions were correct.

An internal review was launched by Assistant Chief Constable Della Cannings to probe the circumstances surrounding the speeding row.

She concluded that no further action should be taken.

She also decided the matter should not go to the CPS for consideration because Det Supt Roberts had been advised no further action would be taken when the ticket was cancelled.

Yesterday, she said: "The key people involved each acted with the best intentions, with high degrees of integrity and with no intent to improperly influence the outcome. There has been a full review into this matter and it is now closed."

She said future decisions involving senior police officers will be made by a chief officer.

Det Supt Roberts said yesterday: "The law provides safeguards for vehicle owners which, in this case, properly applied to me.

"I almost wish it hadn't.

"Now I just want to get on with my job where I have been grateful in the past for the support of the public and the media."

Det Supt Roberts escaped the £60 fine because he said he could not be certain who was driving the car when it was caught in the speed trap on Yarm Road, in Stockton.

Under section 172 of the Road Traffic Act the registered keeper of a car caught speeding is required to inform the chief constable who the driver was.

Chairman Ken Walker said the cancellation of the ticket and the force review will be considered at the next meeting of the Cleveland Police Authority.

Councillor Walker said everyone has rights, but added: "I also believe that senior police officers, and, indeed, members of the police authority, must recognise that the public expect them to give a lead in demonstrating that speeding laws are there for a purpose and should be supported."