Woman locked up over Speeding charges...
Discussion
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'OUTRAGEOUS' ARREST FOR SPEEDING, CLAIM
12:30 - 14 November 2005
A mother-of-four was locked up in a Scottish cell and deprived of contact with her family before being driven to Scunthorpe to stand trial on Saturday - for a two-year-old speeding offence.
Michelle Keating (43), from Aberdeen, was caught speeding on the M180 in 2003 while rushing her husband to work at Humberside Airport. She received notice of police action against her and filled in the appropriate forms to send to the authorities, admitting the offence. She then heard nothing about the matter and believed charges must have been dropped.
However, on Thursday, when she was stopped during a routine police check, it was discovered there was a warrant out for her arrest issued by North Lincolnshire magistrates.
And, in what defence solicitor Stuart Cranidge told North Lincolnshire Magistrates' Court was 'one of the most outrageous cases I have dealt with in 35 years of being a solicitor' she was arrested and locked up for two days.
"Mrs Keating was quite perfectly properly arrested and taken to a Scottish police station," he said.
"She was assured somebody was being dispatched from Scunthorpe to collect her. In fact, nobody came to collect her until Friday."
In that time, he said, Mrs Keating was not allowed to speak to her husband or father when they came to visit.
"When Mr Keating said 'I've got four children' the response was 'are you saying you can't look after your kids? In that event the next call I'll make will be to social services'," said Mr Cranidge.
Prosecutor Andrew Horner confirmed Mrs Keating had been found guilty of speeding in her absence.
However, he successfully applied for the case to be reopened, before stating it should be withdrawn.
"I have to take into account everything that has happened to Mrs Keating and I do not think it is in the public interest to proceed," he said.
Mrs Keating's husband, Christopher (42), who had driven down from Aberdeen, said the matter had been disgusting and his faith in the justice system had been severely shaken.
"Why did my wife have to come all the way to Scunthorpe in custody to sort this matter out?" he said.
"We are law-abiding citizens and there is nothing to suggest we wouldn't have turned up.
"I can't understand why we didn't receive the proper notice about the original matter.
"We have moved house, but the car is registered to our new address and we pay a mortgage - we should be easy to find. In technology terms, we are visible from the moon."
Mr Cranidge added: "I'm delighted with the view taken by the Crown Prosecution Service in this case."
'OUTRAGEOUS' ARREST FOR SPEEDING, CLAIM
12:30 - 14 November 2005
A mother-of-four was locked up in a Scottish cell and deprived of contact with her family before being driven to Scunthorpe to stand trial on Saturday - for a two-year-old speeding offence.
Michelle Keating (43), from Aberdeen, was caught speeding on the M180 in 2003 while rushing her husband to work at Humberside Airport. She received notice of police action against her and filled in the appropriate forms to send to the authorities, admitting the offence. She then heard nothing about the matter and believed charges must have been dropped.
However, on Thursday, when she was stopped during a routine police check, it was discovered there was a warrant out for her arrest issued by North Lincolnshire magistrates.
And, in what defence solicitor Stuart Cranidge told North Lincolnshire Magistrates' Court was 'one of the most outrageous cases I have dealt with in 35 years of being a solicitor' she was arrested and locked up for two days.
"Mrs Keating was quite perfectly properly arrested and taken to a Scottish police station," he said.
"She was assured somebody was being dispatched from Scunthorpe to collect her. In fact, nobody came to collect her until Friday."
In that time, he said, Mrs Keating was not allowed to speak to her husband or father when they came to visit.
"When Mr Keating said 'I've got four children' the response was 'are you saying you can't look after your kids? In that event the next call I'll make will be to social services'," said Mr Cranidge.
Prosecutor Andrew Horner confirmed Mrs Keating had been found guilty of speeding in her absence.
However, he successfully applied for the case to be reopened, before stating it should be withdrawn.
"I have to take into account everything that has happened to Mrs Keating and I do not think it is in the public interest to proceed," he said.
Mrs Keating's husband, Christopher (42), who had driven down from Aberdeen, said the matter had been disgusting and his faith in the justice system had been severely shaken.
"Why did my wife have to come all the way to Scunthorpe in custody to sort this matter out?" he said.
"We are law-abiding citizens and there is nothing to suggest we wouldn't have turned up.
"I can't understand why we didn't receive the proper notice about the original matter.
"We have moved house, but the car is registered to our new address and we pay a mortgage - we should be easy to find. In technology terms, we are visible from the moon."
Mr Cranidge added: "I'm delighted with the view taken by the Crown Prosecution Service in this case."
voyds9 said:
Although it may have been heavy handed in this case perhaps we would all be happier if this happened more often. How many scrotes fail to attend court for offences then have to be arrested, how can we tell if she is a nice lady or just a lucky criminal.
I think if this happened a bit more often then most of the police would resign. Lets face is many are not happy with the public image the anti car nuts are creating. If arresting mothers and jailing them is the way forward I will willing join the vigilante group and start smashing up the police station. After 2 years and no contact they judiciary perverts will never get a conviction anyway.
Just been listening to this on the Jeremy Vine show and they just about ripped the skin off Plods back.
Can I bring a bit of rationality into this on his behalf.
Firstly had she not been speeding then all of this would not have happened. So she was the instigator. She knew summons forthcoming and did nothing. Agreed not in her court to do so but had taken an interest would have saved a lot of hassle for herself.
Proof that summons was sent out by post to last know address can be accepted as having been served even if returned undelivered. If this results in non appearence, which it will, on the appointed Court date then a Bench Warrant for arrest (either backed or not backed for bail) can be signed by a JP having satisfied himself summons duly served according to law. Was he too quick in signing this? Generally, or it used to be, where returned by post undelivered,a further summons sent out for PERSONAL SERVICE by Plod Summons and Warrants Officer. If this had been done then whereabouts of driver would no doubt have been established and no need for Arrest Warrant.
Once the warrant issued wheels of justice grind on. I'm intrigued why the warrant wasn't backed to bail her to Court when it would have been quick visit to local Plodshop where arrested, paperwork done and released. May be more than we know why not.
Now all this to and froing was done at CPS Court Office but again Plod gets the flack which really isn't his fault. IT IS THE SYSTEM that has demanded all this and the trip from Humberside to Jockland to pick up the prisoner.
SYSTEM in my book doesn't equal Plod.
dvd
Can I bring a bit of rationality into this on his behalf.
Firstly had she not been speeding then all of this would not have happened. So she was the instigator. She knew summons forthcoming and did nothing. Agreed not in her court to do so but had taken an interest would have saved a lot of hassle for herself.
Proof that summons was sent out by post to last know address can be accepted as having been served even if returned undelivered. If this results in non appearence, which it will, on the appointed Court date then a Bench Warrant for arrest (either backed or not backed for bail) can be signed by a JP having satisfied himself summons duly served according to law. Was he too quick in signing this? Generally, or it used to be, where returned by post undelivered,a further summons sent out for PERSONAL SERVICE by Plod Summons and Warrants Officer. If this had been done then whereabouts of driver would no doubt have been established and no need for Arrest Warrant.
Once the warrant issued wheels of justice grind on. I'm intrigued why the warrant wasn't backed to bail her to Court when it would have been quick visit to local Plodshop where arrested, paperwork done and released. May be more than we know why not.
Now all this to and froing was done at CPS Court Office but again Plod gets the flack which really isn't his fault. IT IS THE SYSTEM that has demanded all this and the trip from Humberside to Jockland to pick up the prisoner.
SYSTEM in my book doesn't equal Plod.
dvd
Dwight VanDriver said:
Just been listening to this on the Jeremy Vine show and they just about ripped the skin off Plods back.
Can I bring a bit of rationality into this on his behalf.
Firstly had she not been speeding then all of this would not have happened. So she was the instigator. She knew summons forthcoming and did nothing. Agreed not in her court to do so but had taken an interest would have saved a lot of hassle for herself.
Proof that summons was sent out by post to last know address can be accepted as having been served even if returned undelivered. If this results in non appearence, which it will, on the appointed Court date then a Bench Warrant for arrest (either backed or not backed for bail) can be signed by a JP having satisfied himself summons duly served according to law. Was he too quick in signing this? Generally, or it used to be, where returned by post undelivered,a further summons sent out for PERSONAL SERVICE by Plod Summons and Warrants Officer. If this had been done then whereabouts of driver would no doubt have been established and no need for Arrest Warrant.
Once the warrant issued wheels of justice grind on. I'm intrigued why the warrant wasn't backed to bail her to Court when it would have been quick visit to local Plodshop where arrested, paperwork done and released. May be more than we know why not.
Now all this to and froing was done at CPS Court Office but again Plod gets the flack which really isn't his fault. IT IS THE SYSTEM that has demanded all this and the trip from Humberside to Jockland to pick up the prisoner.
SYSTEM in my book doesn't equal Plod.
dvd
No, it doesn't. But in practice it does. You think anyone is really going to blame the Court System or the CPS ?
Dwight VanDriver said:
Just been listening to this on the Jeremy Vine show and they just about ripped the skin off Plods back.
SYSTEM in my book doesn't equal Plod.
I'm with you all the way.
Perhaps you could point out to your Chief Constable's office that Police work is being hampered by the strong sense of injustice experienced by a wide range of the public in response to wholly unnecessary speeding offences?
Or complain to the Police Federation.
I totally agree it isn't fair that you're getting the flak, but hey, no one is in a better position to report the problem.
Do you realise that the Home Office hasn't even considered the damage being done to the Police Public relationship by camera enforcement?
safespeed said:
Perhaps you could point out to your Chief Constable's office that Police work is being hampered by the strong sense of injustice experienced by a wide range of the public in response to wholly unnecessary speeding offences?
'wholly unnecessary speeding offence' - really
? what were the circumstances? speed? manner of driving? conditions? I read only:
"Michelle Keating (43), from Aberdeen, was caught speeding on the M180 in 2003 while rushing her husband to work at Humberside Airport. She received notice of police action against her and filled in the appropriate forms to send to the authorities, admitting the offence."
I think the issue here is the use of an arrest warrant and it's heavy-handed execution
echo said:
I think the issue here is the use of an arrest warrant and it's heavy-handed execution
Absolutely not, the issue is the efficiency with which a beleagered police force can hunt down and nail someone who may have exceded a speed limit, wether it be by 10mph or 100mph, regardless of conditions and circumstances and their absolute ineptitude in catching, holding and bringing to court a real criminal
echo said:
Perhaps you could point out to your Chief Constable's office that Police work is being hampered by the strong sense of injustice experienced by a wide range of the public in response to wholly unnecessary speeding offences?
'wholly unnecessary speeding offence' - really
I read only:
"Michelle Keating (43), from Aberdeen, was caught speeding on the M180 in 2003 while rushing her husband to work at Humberside Airport. She received notice of police action against her and filled in the appropriate forms to send to the authorities, admitting the offence."
I think the issue here is the use of an arrest warrant and it's heavy-handed execution
If we (the public) didn't feel abused then this case wouldn't have made even 10% of the news it has. It's flashpoint stuff, and the temperature is so high that every little thing ignites the media.
There ARE millions of unnecessary speeding prosecutions. I'm not saying that this was one of them, although it might well have been.
apache said:
I think the issue here is the use of an arrest warrant and it's heavy-handed execution
Absolutely not, the issue is the efficiency with which a beleagered police force can hunt down and nail someone who may have exceded a speed limit, wether it be by 10mph or 100mph, regardless of conditions and circumstances and their absolute ineptitude in catching, holding and bringing to court a real criminal
Reading the report, and perhaps reading bewteen the lines, I don't think the Police "hunted" her down, it seems more likely that the warrant was issued by the Bench, and later input on to the Police NATIONAL Computer. The lady was unfortunate to be elsewhere when stopped.
Working in a large NW seaside resort that has visitors from all over the UK, it's not at all uncommon for them to fail to appear if summoned or charged with an offence. While I was still a response officer, I travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain to collect people that had been arrested as a result of a routine stop check.
In fact, I arrested someone myself not long ago who lives lcoally, and had been charged with drink driving in London, as that was where he worked during the week. He had failed to attend Court, so the warrant was issued.
Additionally, if a warrant is not backed for bail, the arrest (generally) isn't discretionary - failure to arrest could lead to charges of malfeasance in a public office, etc etc.
The weakest link in this process is simply the reliance upon posting an item as being deeemed as 'received and therefore served'. It's just not fair to assume that 100% of process mail reaches its destination when we know that up to 10% (worse in some areas), won't get there.
They need to adopt recorded delivery for everything from summons to parking ticket process. This sort of thing wouldn't happen then.
Scott
They need to adopt recorded delivery for everything from summons to parking ticket process. This sort of thing wouldn't happen then.
Scott
I manage to hear part of this - missed the beginning.
She admitted the opffence und expected to hear outocme - points/fine appearance before beak....
She hear nothing at all. Then stopped in a routine - time und money wasted traipsing to Aberdeedn where she moved to und then locking her up und even threatening to place kids into care whe husband requested parental visit...
Lot of idiots phone in saying she broke lwas.. she deserve to be locked up.. she got off lightly as still has clean licence
she got locked up for two days in smelly police cell because of a CLERICAL ERROR
It hardly give me lot of confidence in scmerati "system" if they have person's driving l;icence with notified change of address und still cannot find her... und they expect us to support when they make little mistakes in matter of tehr terrrorist und GPS tracking und spuy in car und so on?
Nein.
This prove cosdwoppaop of system which stink of money und easy targetting. 
Ist not BiB bash but BLIAR SCROTY ever so Peeeing Over -Ceeing on PC
bash!
She admitted the opffence und expected to hear outocme - points/fine appearance before beak....
She hear nothing at all. Then stopped in a routine - time und money wasted traipsing to Aberdeedn where she moved to und then locking her up und even threatening to place kids into care whe husband requested parental visit...
Lot of idiots phone in saying she broke lwas.. she deserve to be locked up.. she got off lightly as still has clean licence
she got locked up for two days in smelly police cell because of a CLERICAL ERROR It hardly give me lot of confidence in scmerati "system" if they have person's driving l;icence with notified change of address und still cannot find her... und they expect us to support when they make little mistakes in matter of tehr terrrorist und GPS tracking und spuy in car und so on?
Nein.
This prove cosdwoppaop of system which stink of money und easy targetting. Ist not BiB bash but BLIAR SCROTY ever so Peeeing Over -Ceeing on PC
bash! Quinny said:
I heard this on the radio, you should have heard some of the idiot think of the chilren brigade going on
Comments like, She broke the law and got what she deserved. etc
One prick even suggested that there is the equivelent of a 7/7 on the roads every day due to people speeding.
If it wasn't so serious it'd be laughable.
Someone even said speeding is attempted murder.
We have the lowest accident figures in the world. We have the highest death rates due to all sorts of treatable illnesses in the western world. Apparently cancer survival rates in Germany are 5 times better than ours.
When are we ever going to get our priorities right? Why do we worry so much about 3.5k deaths a year and do little about the hundreds of thousands of deaths a year?
Spending money to save lives....investing in NHS ..... ensuring that all get the same access to the same range of treatments wherever they live....
too difficult. Much easier to con the idiots that they are saving lives und saving NHS money by raiking in cash from scams. Run down of papers on radio - one paper say speed fines are up another 50%
So - if these scams are ever so successful in "slowing naughty drivers down" - then LESS should be fined und if they are ever so successful in saving lives - then LESS und not MORE should be KSI's in these highly scammered areas - yet Lancs reports INCREASE for first 8 months of 2005. Have not time to seek out the link but Mad Doc placed on Paul's site somewhere....
Und now per the papers - they plan to use data base to clamp car even outside your home if you fail to pay parking fine. Given they could not find this lady despite having driving licence detail und DVLA having her new address...
[sarcasm mode on]
I feel ever so "reassured" by their ability und intelligence to be able to understand this.... NOT!
[/sarcasm mode off]
too difficult. Much easier to con the idiots that they are saving lives und saving NHS money by raiking in cash from scams. Run down of papers on radio - one paper say speed fines are up another 50% So - if these scams are ever so successful in "slowing naughty drivers down" - then LESS should be fined und if they are ever so successful in saving lives - then LESS und not MORE should be KSI's in these highly scammered areas - yet Lancs reports INCREASE for first 8 months of 2005. Have not time to seek out the link but Mad Doc placed on Paul's site somewhere....
Und now per the papers - they plan to use data base to clamp car even outside your home if you fail to pay parking fine. Given they could not find this lady despite having driving licence detail und DVLA having her new address...
[sarcasm mode on]
I feel ever so "reassured" by their ability und intelligence to be able to understand this.... NOT!
[/sarcasm mode off]
Dibble said:
I think the issue here is the use of an arrest warrant and it's heavy-handed execution
Absolutely not, the issue is the efficiency with which a beleagered police force can hunt down and nail someone who may have exceded a speed limit, wether it be by 10mph or 100mph, regardless of conditions and circumstances and their absolute ineptitude in catching, holding and bringing to court a real criminal
Reading the report, and perhaps reading bewteen the lines, I don't think the Police "hunted" her down, it seems more likely that the warrant was issued by the Bench, and later input on to the Police NATIONAL Computer. The lady was unfortunate to be elsewhere when stopped.
Working in a large NW seaside resort that has visitors from all over the UK, it's not at all uncommon for them to fail to appear if summoned or charged with an offence. While I was still a response officer, I travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain to collect people that had been arrested as a result of a routine stop check.
In fact, I arrested someone myself not long ago who lives lcoally, and had been charged with drink driving in London, as that was where he worked during the week. He had failed to attend Court, so the warrant was issued.
Additionally, if a warrant is not backed for bail, the arrest (generally) isn't discretionary - failure to arrest could lead to charges of malfeasance in a public office, etc etc.
Ok, maybe the line between the system and the BiB has become a bit muddied, but she was caught by a mechanism whose design seems to be to catch the 'momentary' rather than the full time criminal
[quote=heebeegeeteeSomeone even said speeding is attempted murder.
We have the lowest accident figures in the world. We have the highest death rates due to all sorts of treatable illnesses in the western world. Apparently cancer survival rates in Germany are 5 times better than ours.
When are we ever going to get our priorities right? Why do we worry so much about 3.5k deaths a year and do little about the hundreds of thousands of deaths a year?[/quote]
The difference is cancer care COSTS MONEY!, speeding enforcement MAKES MONEY!!!
Do you really think that bLIAr and his criminals actually care??? All they want is their champagne paid for by you and me!!!
cynical, moi?
To show the difference in health care Germany to NHS with 2 examples!
MY B.i.L needed a stone removal from his gallbladder, waited 18 months then only when head surgeon threatened with law actually got the op! Friend here two doors away had same op within 2 days!
I needed an angiogram and angiopathy, total time from blues and twos to the op table 31 minutes! Same in GB 14 months waiting list........
Health service I don't think so, it's the "wait until they die" service!!!! It used to be the best in the world (and still is in some rare instances) BUT it's degenerated into a system worse than in some 3rd world countries!!!
edited coz ov dyslexic fnigers
>> Edited by JMGS4 on Thursday 17th November 08:14
We have the lowest accident figures in the world. We have the highest death rates due to all sorts of treatable illnesses in the western world. Apparently cancer survival rates in Germany are 5 times better than ours.
When are we ever going to get our priorities right? Why do we worry so much about 3.5k deaths a year and do little about the hundreds of thousands of deaths a year?[/quote]
The difference is cancer care COSTS MONEY!, speeding enforcement MAKES MONEY!!!
Do you really think that bLIAr and his criminals actually care??? All they want is their champagne paid for by you and me!!!
cynical, moi?
To show the difference in health care Germany to NHS with 2 examples!
MY B.i.L needed a stone removal from his gallbladder, waited 18 months then only when head surgeon threatened with law actually got the op! Friend here two doors away had same op within 2 days!
I needed an angiogram and angiopathy, total time from blues and twos to the op table 31 minutes! Same in GB 14 months waiting list........
Health service I don't think so, it's the "wait until they die" service!!!! It used to be the best in the world (and still is in some rare instances) BUT it's degenerated into a system worse than in some 3rd world countries!!!
edited coz ov dyslexic fnigers
>> Edited by JMGS4 on Thursday 17th November 08:14
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