Colour-blind court
Discussion
Mr Taylor, a black person, has been acquitted on appeal of a traffic offence, because the CCTV evidence clearly showed that the offender was white.
On Mr Taylor's fourth appearance before the magistrates, they decided to try his case despite the repeated non-appearance of the police officer who could immediately have said that Mr Taylor was not the offender. The CTTV was apparently never seen by the court, nor viewed by the CPS or anyone who could have avoided the madness, conviction, fine and disqualification and possible loss of job that resulted. The officer in question said that he had been repeatedly told his presence at court was not required.
Fortunately, the appeal court showed more intelligence.
Read the story here: www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=414568&in_page_id=1770
Streaky
On Mr Taylor's fourth appearance before the magistrates, they decided to try his case despite the repeated non-appearance of the police officer who could immediately have said that Mr Taylor was not the offender. The CTTV was apparently never seen by the court, nor viewed by the CPS or anyone who could have avoided the madness, conviction, fine and disqualification and possible loss of job that resulted. The officer in question said that he had been repeatedly told his presence at court was not required.
Fortunately, the appeal court showed more intelligence.
Read the story here: www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=414568&in_page_id=1770
Streaky
Astonishing.
What is also quite sad is that in this era of 'Nick Freeman' and other specialist solicitor bashing that this case proves that with traffic offences that using a solicitor is becoming necessary, and the 'man on the street' cannot expect to fight a fair case or be helped to by 'the system'.
In fact, even the clerk who is supposed to be impartial and there to inform the defendant of the correct procedure that on the date of the first trial that if the CPS have no evidence as the Police Officer is not there then he has no evidence to answer. Case closed.
However the defendant endured the following: "The CPS prosecutor kept saying, 'How many times are we going to give Mr Taylor the chance to lie to the court?'
...As many times as it takes for you to produce a shed of evidence against me, sir!
As it does not mention this in the report I am also guessing that the clerk did not bother to inform the guy that he can claim the out of pocket costs from taking time off work and coming to court to have his time wasted. This was the case when I defended myself in Warrington. Having said that the clerks in Wrexham were brilliant and made every effort possible to make sure that I knew the procedures and not left in an unfair situation.
What is also quite sad is that in this era of 'Nick Freeman' and other specialist solicitor bashing that this case proves that with traffic offences that using a solicitor is becoming necessary, and the 'man on the street' cannot expect to fight a fair case or be helped to by 'the system'.
In fact, even the clerk who is supposed to be impartial and there to inform the defendant of the correct procedure that on the date of the first trial that if the CPS have no evidence as the Police Officer is not there then he has no evidence to answer. Case closed.
However the defendant endured the following: "The CPS prosecutor kept saying, 'How many times are we going to give Mr Taylor the chance to lie to the court?'
...As many times as it takes for you to produce a shed of evidence against me, sir!
As it does not mention this in the report I am also guessing that the clerk did not bother to inform the guy that he can claim the out of pocket costs from taking time off work and coming to court to have his time wasted. This was the case when I defended myself in Warrington. Having said that the clerks in Wrexham were brilliant and made every effort possible to make sure that I knew the procedures and not left in an unfair situation.
Hmmm.
On the face of it, justice seems to have been done.
It's just that, on reading the story, I find one thing a bit "fishy":
The thief, after being allowed to drive on, returned the car to where he had stolen it - outside Mr Taylor's home in South London.
A tad unlikely, don't you think? If I were cynical I'd be thinking there's some complicity here with the thief and our accused.
On the face of it, justice seems to have been done.
It's just that, on reading the story, I find one thing a bit "fishy":
The thief, after being allowed to drive on, returned the car to where he had stolen it - outside Mr Taylor's home in South London.
A tad unlikely, don't you think? If I were cynical I'd be thinking there's some complicity here with the thief and our accused.
Can you imagine being in court, some CPS guy accusing you of lying, then being found guilty, fined etc, when you know damm well it wasnt you.
I think I would be hard pressed to keep my cool.........
P.S. Is it too much to ask that in this world of high tech etc, that when the police apprehend someone for an offence, a digi pict is taken, and filed with the charge sheet?
I think I would be hard pressed to keep my cool.........
P.S. Is it too much to ask that in this world of high tech etc, that when the police apprehend someone for an offence, a digi pict is taken, and filed with the charge sheet?
Edited by vipers on Sunday 5th November 15:54
On a similar theme, a good few years back, we had a really nasty customer who was trying to gain an advantage and some compensation over a minor warranty issue on a car, she decided to play the 'race' card against the service manager, and made all sorts of nasty accusations about things that had allegedly been said to her, in the hope that it would help her get more than she was entitled to over what was just a bloody car repair, thats all. But our HR department took it very seriously indeed, and things went right down the line, almost to court. Then the customers solicitor found out that our service managers wife was black 
and the allegations were withdrawn 
and the allegations were withdrawn esselte said:
chrisbb said:
When the bib makes his statement do they not have to describe the offender eg white male caucsion? (spelling!) like they do in the movies?
No,surely all they have to say is.."It was 'im 'guv 'onest,I saw 'im do it"
I think ist pee cee nonsense.. not being allowed to say the the word which acutally describes the colour or pigmentation of the skin
as it "precludes all other groups" sean5302 said:
Hmmm.
On the face of it, justice seems to have been done.
It's just that, on reading the story, I find one thing a bit "fishy":
The thief, after being allowed to drive on, returned the car to where he had stolen it - outside Mr Taylor's home in South London.
A tad unlikely, don't you think? If I were cynical I'd be thinking there's some complicity here with the thief and our accused.
On the face of it, justice seems to have been done.
It's just that, on reading the story, I find one thing a bit "fishy":
The thief, after being allowed to drive on, returned the car to where he had stolen it - outside Mr Taylor's home in South London.
A tad unlikely, don't you think? If I were cynical I'd be thinking there's some complicity here with the thief and our accused.
Not necessarily. I agree it seem a bit lacking on part of the registered keeper to keep documents identifying him in the car - thus allowing thief to nick identity.
I do not keep any such documents in the car. I do keep a photocopy of the insurance document .. but not the original und I have the plastic bit of my driving licence with me... with the more vital papers secured in safe place at home to produce as und when or if asked for. ...but never keep any important valuables, original or copy papers on show or avaliable to potential thief in cars But then - he was stopped und produced document to police .. so perhaps decided to return the car to rightful owner... perhaps he does know the accused und knew he kept the documents in the car und had some kind of grudge to try to make him some bother..
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