Salisbury speeding - ban??

[lx993]

I've just been stopped near Salisbury (A36, wide open road) for 92 in a 60. Unfortunately I hadn't read the post by Mad Dave on this forum about the unmarked Skoda Octavia RS.....

Interestingly he also mentioned that they try to goad drivers into speeding - and this is exactly what they did to me - cut me up at a roundabout, pulled up alongside and grinned, followed by blasting away. I didn't race them but I was in a hurry anyway (having got lost an hour earlier).

The copper wouldn't do a fixed penalty, just gave me a producer and said I'd have to go to court. What's the best course of action? I could spend a fortune on solicitors and try to bollox the case up, but what's the course of action that costs the least and does least damage (i.e. minimum ban)?

He didn't go for dangerous driving or anything heavy, just excess speed.

[SpudGunner]

lx993 said:

Interestingly he also mentioned that they try to goad drivers into speeding - and this is exactly what they did to me - cut me up at a roundabout, pulled up alongside and grinned, followed by blasting away.

Can they do that? Surely thats a bit like them egging you on to hit someone and then arresting you for ABH/GBH?

That would surely be inciting someone to commit a crime?

I think you must have misheard them as the Police dont do things like that

[tonyrec]

What speed did he tell you that he was reporting you for?

[Zod]

If you testify to this and are believed (big if), then the prosecution is likely to fail. If the Policeman did this, then he should be sacked.

[kevinday]

Zod said:

If you testify to this and are believed (big if), then the prosecution is likely to fail. If the Policeman did this, then he should be sacked.

Correct, but of course the policeman would deny it and who will be believed?

[james_j]

A video camera might come in useful next time...

[Mad Dave]

Bad luck mate

That Octavia followed me for a while, and i was speeding - but i had a feeling he was keeping up with me rather too well so i slowed down. When he overtook me he already had 2 people in the back.

Thats not the only one around that 'incites to speed' - Warminster have a red, S plate Accord Type R - they tried to race me when i had my Golf GTI - i dont race so they overtook me - 2 uniformed plod sat in the car.

I hope you get off light mate, let me know how you get on

Dave

[lx993]

To be honest I can't see much joy in arguing about whether the cops were taking the piss or not - it's a serious offence for them to be doing this and they'll obviously deny it.

The big question is whether it's worth my while getting a solicitor, going to court and stating my case, or simply pleading guilty by post and hoping the magistrate doesn't go overboard. Which is likely to cost less?? I don't need to drive for work, so I'd rather have a month ban and a 200 quid fine rather than no ban, an 800 quid fine and a grand's legal costs. Anyone had a similar situation???

[Hardcore2000]

they are sick mothers if this is true. total c*nts. what does tonyrec or madcop have to say about behaviour like this???

[sidekick]

If I was you I wouldn't wait until it goes to court. Go on the offensive now - write to the Chief Constable of the force involved (make sure you mark it private and confidential and address it by name not just "The Chief Constable") telling him/her of his officers behaviour. Probably a good idea to run the letter past a solicitor first. If, as it appears, goading motorists into speeding/racing is being practised by more than one particular individual then I think the papers/public/judiciary/chief consatable etc etc should and will take a very very dim view indeed.
Good luck mate, I think the sooner you pursue this (and as aggressively as possible) the better chance you have of getting the case dropped (how many police force's would want this splashed all over the media?)