Man Uses Angle Grinder to Chop Down New ULEZ Camera Pole
Stephen Harwood-Stamper, 63, from West Sussex, sparked chaos by sawing down a newly installed ULEZ camera pole in Sidcup, South East London. The brazen stunt happened on the morning of December 6, 2023—mere hours after the camera went live at the junction of White Oak Gardens and Willersley Avenue.
Camera Later Blown Up – But Not by Harwood-Stamper
While Harwood-Stamper took credit for cutting down the pole, the actual ULEZ camera was later destroyed in a dramatic explosion. Prosecutor Charles Drinnan confirmed the blast was the work of an unknown party using an improvised explosive device, with no link to Harwood-Stamper.
Engineer Loses Job and Pension Over Daring Crime
The former City of London assistant engineer pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Woolwich Crown Court on October 6. As a consequence of his reckless act, Harwood-Stamper lost his engineering career and pension, now forced to work as a labourer.
“He was an assistant engineer in the City of London doing a very technical job. He’s now a labourer,” said his lawyer Markus Finlay.
Judge Slams Harwood-Stamper, Hands Down Community Order
Judge Philip Shorrock was unsparing in his condemnation. Rejecting any leniency, the judge told Harwood-Stamper:
“Taking the law into your hands is never a good idea and you learnt that lesson the hard way.”
The court imposed a one-year community order with 80 hours of unpaid work. Harwood-Stamper was also ordered to pay £2,467 in compensation to Transport for London.
In a heartfelt letter to the court, Harwood-Stamper apologised, admitting his family has been “tainted and embarrassed by the public shame caused by their father”.
