An Oxford Mail splash about a builder who took the law into his own hands and dug up a speed hump outside his house became a national headline overnight.

True to Fleet Street’s finest traditions, some nationals still claimed it as an exclusive 24 hours after the Oxford Mail had run it and before it was picked up by television news.

Builder Ian Beesley has no regrets about digging up the hump in west Oxford, despite finding himself the focus of the nation’s attention.

The 41-year-old, who used his own JCB to remove a raised pedestrian crossing which he claimed amplified noise from trucks in Ferry Hinksey Road, was featured on the front page of the Mail.

He has since been interviewed by ITN, Central TV, GMTV, Radio 5 Live and local radio station Fox FM.

His stunt has also been covered by national newspapers, including The Sun, which, despite carrying the story 24 hours after the Oxford Mail, claimed the take was a ‘Sun Exclusive’.

Ian said: “I can’t believe it’s happening. I never thought it would go this far but I have no regrets.”

He and his wife claim they are unable to sleep due to noise from lorries braking then accelerating on their way to Osney Mead Industrial Estate. The hump was installed by the council in a £90,000 traffic-calming project to stop vehicles speeding past the local school.

The county council has revealed it will take legal action to make him pay for any damage caused.

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