RE: Man loses crucial speeding case
Monday 30th October 2006
Keep a copper in a jobThe speeding case that centres on whether civilians can go a police officer's job is to go appeal, after the accused lost his case -- see previous story (link below).
Man loses crucial speeding case
Matter will go to the Lords 'if necessary'
Keep a copper in a job
Businessman Richard Hussey was ordered to pay a £1,146 fine and received five points on his licence at Devizes magistrates court last week.
Hussey will be challenging the speeding penalty on the basis that the civilian wielding the speed camera on which the charge is based was unqualified to take an initial view on whether or not he was speeding. He argues that a police officer is both trained and is empowered in law to do that, while civilians are not.
He told the local paper: "I want to go further and fight for justice. It's me versus the authorities. I felt very disappointed. I really hoped they'd be able to say they thought we were right and civilians can't actually do a police officer's job.
"I would have just paid it if it had been a police officer and taken the three points but I feel there is a principle that needs to be ironed out."
Hussey said that he'd be willing to take the case all the way to the House of Lords if necessary.
Related stories
Picture by www.speedcam.co.uk
Discussion
It's about trying to make an example to put people off challenging the ridiculous nature of the offence in the future.
"A hefty fine [which I assume will actually include some costs] and more points should put of those pesky people who think they can argue against us!! Release that orb-thingy to capture the prisoner..."
Yet more proof that no matter what we say or do, the government/legal attitude to the speed policy is NEVER going to change.
Anyone want to buy an RX8? I am looking for a sensible Prius...
"A hefty fine [which I assume will actually include some costs] and more points should put of those pesky people who think they can argue against us!! Release that orb-thingy to capture the prisoner..."
Yet more proof that no matter what we say or do, the government/legal attitude to the speed policy is NEVER going to change.
Anyone want to buy an RX8? I am looking for a sensible Prius...
Sheesh! Civilians doing a copper's job 
Erm...here's an idea.....save money on less fixed cameras and employ more Traffic Cops with mone saved! No need for civilians!
And I say that after I got pulled over for speeding by a policeman - I would have been hacked off if some civilian (with obviously too much spare time of their hands) had caught me!
Darren
Erm...here's an idea.....save money on less fixed cameras and employ more Traffic Cops with mone saved! No need for civilians!
And I say that after I got pulled over for speeding by a policeman - I would have been hacked off if some civilian (with obviously too much spare time of their hands) had caught me!
Darren
PhantomPH said:
It's about trying to make an example to put people off challenging the ridiculous nature of the offence in the future.
"A hefty fine [which I assume will actually include some costs] and more points should put of those pesky people who think they can argue against us!! Release that orb-thingy to capture the prisoner..."
Yet more proof that no matter what we say or do, the government/legal attitude to the speed policy is NEVER going to change.
Anyone want to buy an RX8? I am looking for a sensible Prius...
"A hefty fine [which I assume will actually include some costs] and more points should put of those pesky people who think they can argue against us!! Release that orb-thingy to capture the prisoner..."
Yet more proof that no matter what we say or do, the government/legal attitude to the speed policy is NEVER going to change.
Anyone want to buy an RX8? I am looking for a sensible Prius...
Isnt it time we told the government what to do (they are supposed to you know..) - now the idiots intend violating our homes (no refusal accepted) in order that the government can assess your life-style - if they think you can afford more tax - they will charge it --
£1146 and 5 pts for 43 in a 30.
That is vindictive and right at the top of the magistrates guidelines I would think.
So just as the crown can appeal that a sentence is too lenient be interesting to see a similarly based appeal.
As I said on another thread all they have to do is sort out a bench of lapdog magistrates.
That is vindictive and right at the top of the magistrates guidelines I would think.
So just as the crown can appeal that a sentence is too lenient be interesting to see a similarly based appeal.
As I said on another thread all they have to do is sort out a bench of lapdog magistrates.
Right! The fine and points are all out of proportion. They keep 
ing us over at every opportunity so let's stop gobbing off and start doing something.
There are thousands of us on here so let's start a fighting fund.
Even if he loses it may make the press and give those wankers in govt. an idea that we've had enough of being bent over the table.
I'm up for a fiver if somebody can tell me where to send it.
Ted?
ing us over at every opportunity so let's stop gobbing off and start doing something. There are thousands of us on here so let's start a fighting fund.
Even if he loses it may make the press and give those wankers in govt. an idea that we've had enough of being bent over the table.
I'm up for a fiver if somebody can tell me where to send it.
Ted?
- we all know how well his last one went, I'd certainly put something in to help him further the case!!! Flat in Fifth said:
£1146 and 5 pts for 43 in a 30.
That is vindictive and right at the top of the magistrates guidelines I would think.
So just as the crown can appeal that a sentence is too lenient be interesting to see a similarly based appeal.
As I said on another thread all they have to do is sort out a bench of lapdog magistrates.
That is vindictive and right at the top of the magistrates guidelines I would think.
So just as the crown can appeal that a sentence is too lenient be interesting to see a similarly based appeal.
As I said on another thread all they have to do is sort out a bench of lapdog magistrates.
Yep, self serving assholes!
Need to vote with our feet, and kick their arses!
Dave
Like everybody else here I wish the guy good luck-tho' I suspect 
On top of that though doesn't -
"I would have just paid it if it had been a police officer and taken the three points but I feel there is a principle that needs to be ironed out." --kind of shoot himself in foot as they'll say "Ah-ha so admit it eh??"
On top of that though doesn't -
"I would have just paid it if it had been a police officer and taken the three points but I feel there is a principle that needs to be ironed out." --kind of shoot himself in foot as they'll say "Ah-ha so admit it eh??"
Firstly, I wish this gentleman the very best of luck in his justifiable fight against the establishment.
I too have thought many times that there must be some legal precedent against being convicted of a motoring offence by a non Police officer.
Magistrates are nothing but a bunch of, in a lot of cases, non-qualified judges, who are able to dish out their brand of do-gooder justice dependant on how they feel on the day.
This case shows that their verdict and sentence totally reflects the vindictive way in which they can act if challenged in any way. Its about time we got rid of this system of judgement from the UK altogether.
I too have thought many times that there must be some legal precedent against being convicted of a motoring offence by a non Police officer.
Magistrates are nothing but a bunch of, in a lot of cases, non-qualified judges, who are able to dish out their brand of do-gooder justice dependant on how they feel on the day.
This case shows that their verdict and sentence totally reflects the vindictive way in which they can act if challenged in any way. Its about time we got rid of this system of judgement from the UK altogether.
sprinter885 said:
Like everybody else here I wish the guy good luck-tho' I suspect
On top of that though doesn't -
"I would have just paid it if it had been a police officer and taken the three points but I feel there is a principle that needs to be ironed out." --kind of shoot himself in foot as they'll say "Ah-ha so admit it eh??"
On top of that though doesn't -
"I would have just paid it if it had been a police officer and taken the three points but I feel there is a principle that needs to be ironed out." --kind of shoot himself in foot as they'll say "Ah-ha so admit it eh??"
He's not fighting the speeding charge with a defence of 'not me guv', but rather with a defence of 'it was me guv, but some civvy knob caught me with a machine they are not licenced to use'.
Similar to the difference between you retaliating when someone hits you - it it's a civvy then it's self defence, if it's a copper then it's resisting arrest/assault
Edited by mmm-five on Monday 30th October 15:19
Edited by mmm-five on Monday 30th October 15:19
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