A JET ski rider caught going at four times above the water speed limit has been hit with a fine.

Mark Halliwell, of Paxfords, Basildon, was stopped by Essex Police's marine unit officers after being seen speeding away from the beach area just outside Brightlingsea harbour

He has now been ordered to pay more than £250 in a fine and costs for exceeding the 8-knot speed limit in force in that part of the River Colne.

Sergeant Alex Southgate said after the hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court: “Halliwell had accelerated hard from the beach area on a personal watercraft and was travelling at approximately 30 knots, which is almost four times the 8-knot speed limit there.

“Our Operation Wave-Breaker patrols are designed to protect water users in areas which have historically experienced water-based anti-social behaviour and where people have ignored the local byelaws. 

“Wherever possible, we seek to educate members of the public about the possible consequences of speeding on the water and the dangers to people and wildlife that can pose.

“However, in this instance, Halliwell’s speed left us no option but to report him for breaking the local speed limit.”

Colchester Council administers the River Colne byelaws and brought the prosecution to court last Thursday. Halliwell had admitted the offence, committed on May 10, by post.

He has been fined £80 with £150 court costs and also ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge.

The marine unit polices 562 miles of waterways and coastlines from the Thames at Crayford Ness to the River Stour in Manningtree, carrying out regular Operation Wave-Breaker patrols.

The operations is carried out between April and September every year, with a high-visibility police presence in anti-social behaviour hotspots at peak times.

Between the start of April and June 30, marine officers spent an extra 413 hours on patrol.