HAMPSHIRE Police have admitted they were wrong to issue a driver with a £20 ticket for eating a KitKat at the wheel.

Kevin Storey, 33, was pulled over on the M3 near Winchester after an officer spotted him nibbling at the chocolate bar.

He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for driving one-handed and travelling at 68.7mph in a temporary 50mph speed limit for roadworks.

But the force now admits the officer made a mistake and is withdrawing the fine.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin Smith said: "Having considered all the factors in this specific case we accept that the issue of a fixed penalty ticket, while intended to promote road safety, was inappropriate action by a well-meaning officer.

"All of our officers are dedicated to serving the community. That frequently involves them stopping members of the public who, in their view, have committed offences.

"Officers usually deal sensitively and with common sense.

"If we are found to be over-zealous, we are more than happy to admit that officers are human and can sometimes make mistakes.

"We will be writing to Mr Storey, withdrawing the fixed penalty ticket."

Police are cracking down on driver inattention in the Winchester area with a campaign targeting mobile phone users.

Mr Storey, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, was stopped as he drove to a family christening in Hampshire.

His case is not the first controversial incident involving the force's traffic officers.

Two years ago Hampshire Police fined a woman GP £40 for speeding on her way to treat a patient who later died.

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