Advice needed - delicate situation
Discussion
An awkward one here chaps. Friend of mine naturally........
Working one day with brand new van parked outside clients property. Neighbours knock on door and say a guy has just keyed your van as he walked past. Van inspected pronto - all three panels on one side scratched deeply from front to back.
Man is detained & arrested by police - denies it - but there are 3 witnesses (the neighbours) who give statements to police - saw the key in his hand / heard the scratching noise etc. Key & fob found in mans pocket match description given by witnesses etc. Several other cars in same street are found to be keyed also.
Anyway - police say he will be prosecuted and estimate criminal damage costs of around £500 to cover paintwork costs.
Several weeks later - heard nothing & when chasing it up - police advise that man has since died, and as such no criminal damages will be forthcoming due to never being tried & convicted.
However - they advise to contact vehicle insurance company - and get them to seek costs from deceased's estate - as burden of proof for civil is less than criminal.
What's the PH consensus here?
Points to note
1) It won't T-Cut out - it's far too deep
2) Van is leased - hence needs sorting properly before being handed back
Edited to add that the suspect was an alcoholic & died from health complications.
Working one day with brand new van parked outside clients property. Neighbours knock on door and say a guy has just keyed your van as he walked past. Van inspected pronto - all three panels on one side scratched deeply from front to back.
Man is detained & arrested by police - denies it - but there are 3 witnesses (the neighbours) who give statements to police - saw the key in his hand / heard the scratching noise etc. Key & fob found in mans pocket match description given by witnesses etc. Several other cars in same street are found to be keyed also.
Anyway - police say he will be prosecuted and estimate criminal damage costs of around £500 to cover paintwork costs.
Several weeks later - heard nothing & when chasing it up - police advise that man has since died, and as such no criminal damages will be forthcoming due to never being tried & convicted.
However - they advise to contact vehicle insurance company - and get them to seek costs from deceased's estate - as burden of proof for civil is less than criminal.
What's the PH consensus here?
Points to note
1) It won't T-Cut out - it's far too deep
2) Van is leased - hence needs sorting properly before being handed back
Edited to add that the suspect was an alcoholic & died from health complications.
Edited by carpmaster on Thursday 31st July 21:06
Edited by carpmaster on Thursday 31st July 21:09
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