Nice wedding present from Northants Police
Discussion
Got a lovely surprise in the post on returning from honeymoon a couple of days ago. 
Myself, my wife and my father-in-law were in a three car convoy coming away from Silverstone (we got married at the circuit) the day after the wedding and returning home.
Each of us have just received a NIP for doing 50mph in a temporary 40mph limit on roadworks near Silverstone.
This was on a Sunday morning where there wasn't a worker in sight and very light traffic. I don't even remember seeing a camera and I'm usually pretty vigilant.
I always thought that I'd get my first speeding offense for actually speeding whilst pressing on, but to be tagged during an ordinary A-to-B journey makes it worse in a way.
The thing is, the time is given as 12:37pm, but I thought we left around 2-ish. However, probably not worth trying to wriggle out, as all three of us were snapped and we were certainly in that area on that day. Anyone care to comment?
So anyway, thanks Northamptonshire Constabulary for lining your pockets to the tune of £180 from the 3 of us and giving us such a lovely wedding present on our first day as man & wife.
Myself, my wife and my father-in-law were in a three car convoy coming away from Silverstone (we got married at the circuit) the day after the wedding and returning home.
Each of us have just received a NIP for doing 50mph in a temporary 40mph limit on roadworks near Silverstone.
This was on a Sunday morning where there wasn't a worker in sight and very light traffic. I don't even remember seeing a camera and I'm usually pretty vigilant.
I always thought that I'd get my first speeding offense for actually speeding whilst pressing on, but to be tagged during an ordinary A-to-B journey makes it worse in a way.
The thing is, the time is given as 12:37pm, but I thought we left around 2-ish. However, probably not worth trying to wriggle out, as all three of us were snapped and we were certainly in that area on that day. Anyone care to comment?
So anyway, thanks Northamptonshire Constabulary for lining your pockets to the tune of £180 from the 3 of us and giving us such a lovely wedding present on our first day as man & wife.
quote:
I always thought that I'd get my first speeding offense for actually speeding whilst pressing on, but to be tagged during an ordinary A-to-B journey makes it worse in a way.
The thing is, the time is given as 12:37pm, but I thought we left around 2-ish. However, probably not worth trying to wriggle out, as all three of us were snapped and we were certainly in that area on that day. Anyone care to comment?
Gotta be worth a try to wriggle a bit.... at least ask for the photographic evidence etc... ANnd if you can prove you were somewhere else at the time stated, it has to cast doubt on the accuracy of the camera, so you could argue on that basis... Go on, be brave!!
I go past those cameras almost on a daily basis. The 40 zone was introduced when they started the road works and for the first week or two I seem to remember that the cones weren't there and so it was still dual carriageway with a 40 sign about 200 yds up the road. I know people were caught then which seemed particularly underhand.
You have my comiserations, but congratulations to the happy couple though (on getting married I mean, not the ticket)
SMiles
You have my comiserations, but congratulations to the happy couple though (on getting married I mean, not the ticket)
SMiles
quote:Hardly worth the effort if all three of us were caught at the same time, surely?
Gotta be worth a try to wriggle a bit.... at least ask for the photographic evidence etc... ANnd if you can prove you were somewhere else at the time stated, it has to cast doubt on the accuracy of the camera, so you could argue on that basis... Go on, be brave!!
Jon,
Similar thing happened to me this morning, got a lovely letter from the Cheshire Police force BUT...
...the date is totally wrong, they claim the offence occured in May when I was only in that area in June (on the same day of course..) Again, (as Domster has already posted here) do I have a case or will I just be a pain but get nicked in the end?
Cheers
Similar thing happened to me this morning, got a lovely letter from the Cheshire Police force BUT...
...the date is totally wrong, they claim the offence occured in May when I was only in that area in June (on the same day of course..
) Again, (as Domster has already posted here) do I have a case or will I just be a pain but get nicked in the end? Cheers
quote:
quote:Hardly worth the effort if all three of us were caught at the same time, surely?
Gotta be worth a try to wriggle a bit.... at least ask for the photographic evidence etc... ANnd if you can prove you were somewhere else at the time stated, it has to cast doubt on the accuracy of the camera, so you could argue on that basis... Go on, be brave!!
Three seperate cases isn't it? I'd say try it......
The thing is, the time is given as 12:37pm, but I thought we left around 2-ish. However, probably not worth trying to wriggle out, as all three of us were snapped and we were certainly in that area on that day. Anyone care to comment?
The whole issue with cameras is that they must be operated in accordance with the conditions attached to them being a prescribed device, otherwise they lose evidential value. If some sod can't set the clock properly, who's to say it was calibrated properly ? If you're confident about your timings, challenge it every step of the way. ( Be aware that the CPS automatically have a degree of lattitude in proving any offence, the timing need not be exactly spot on, although in cases like this where they rely on machines, the bench will limit that lattitude. )Get the Police photos and inform them of the error, don't incriminate yourself by saying too much, just highlight you each have an alibi, and two witnesses who will confirm it. If it proceeds to CPS, notify them by letter ASAP that you intend to make the operation of the camera an issue at trial. ( You can't just spring this on them in court, you must give notice ) They will need to arrange for
the appropriate police witness to attend court and swear on oath that the camera was working properly. If you can damage his/her credibility, you earn yourself the benefit of the doubt and even if CPS don't fold the case, difficult for the bench to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the camera was functioning properly, therefore reliable evidence.
The whole issue with cameras is that they must be operated in accordance with the conditions attached to them being a prescribed device, otherwise they lose evidential value. If some sod can't set the clock properly, who's to say it was calibrated properly ? If you're confident about your timings, challenge it every step of the way. ( Be aware that the CPS automatically have a degree of lattitude in proving any offence, the timing need not be exactly spot on, although in cases like this where they rely on machines, the bench will limit that lattitude. )Get the Police photos and inform them of the error, don't incriminate yourself by saying too much, just highlight you each have an alibi, and two witnesses who will confirm it. If it proceeds to CPS, notify them by letter ASAP that you intend to make the operation of the camera an issue at trial. ( You can't just spring this on them in court, you must give notice ) They will need to arrange for
the appropriate police witness to attend court and swear on oath that the camera was working properly. If you can damage his/her credibility, you earn yourself the benefit of the doubt and even if CPS don't fold the case, difficult for the bench to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the camera was functioning properly, therefore reliable evidence.
Is it just a three pointer, Jon? There not the end of the world - just a bit irritating that's all. Sorry to hear its happened to you of course...
Are you considering a detector? I've been saying for years that I'd get one if I got any points on my licence...but so far I've avoided it.
Yes...I'm a jammy git.
An old friend of mine said to me...Don how long have you had your TVR? A year I say (was at the time). he says and how many points? I say none. He says...you're NOT TRYING!
Are you considering a detector? I've been saying for years that I'd get one if I got any points on my licence...but so far I've avoided it.
Yes...I'm a jammy git.
An old friend of mine said to me...Don how long have you had your TVR? A year I say (was at the time). he says and how many points? I say none. He says...you're NOT TRYING!
Yes, just the 3 points & £60, Don. Or rather, £120 as both of our tickets will come out of the joint account. 
I too am considering a detector of some sort, probably Geodesy or Origin Blue. Trouble is, at ~£400 that is quite a lot of dosh, especially when you're paying off a wedding and honeymoon.
I too am considering a detector of some sort, probably Geodesy or Origin Blue. Trouble is, at ~£400 that is quite a lot of dosh, especially when you're paying off a wedding and honeymoon.
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