Been a little busy...
Discussion
Those who know me that I will generally fight any stupid governmental decision or fine that some cretin thinks I should roll over and take. I generally believe that if they are going to get a fine out of me then they will have to work for it. I am a Project and Program manager, a defining characteristic is we get to the point and are generally quite blunt.
My latest.
In 2005, I was stopped by a traffic cop hiding in the mist at 1am on a Monday morning on an empty wide road. Usually I talk my self out these things with a lot of apologies but Mrs Gooby was very unwell and I was suffering a total humour failure so I just shut up (anything I was going to say would have been abusive so I said nothing) I got a ticket for 41 in a 30 zone.
A series of coincidences took place. It seems that whenever I was required to appear in court, I was out of the country on work.
In this time a friend called me up (while drunk, never good) and laughed at me about the traffic cop who pulled me over and I was “very rude too”! First I knew of it. Anyway he pointed out that the traffic cop was a friend of his and they were having a few drinks (few too many by the sounds of things) Even though it was late on a Friday night, I was still working, my team in California were working late which meant an 18 -20 hour day. Things were going bad and all I wanted to do was get to the hospital to see my wife. My mate then asked me if “I had a message for the copper”? Without thinking much I started to spout off. Thinking better I asked to be put on to him – I then really let rip. No, REALLY LET RIP. Probably not the best thing to do but hey, I needed it.
I did get a DEMAND to appear so I turned up, some arse of a magistrate accepted my plea of not guilty the adjourned the court to a later date so the “prosecution could prepare the case”. We had a short discussion regarding this as the prosecution had all the details in front of him and I argued that if he was too lazy to do his job then it is his lookout. The discussion didn’t go far, I was asked to leave the court after I requested an explanation as to why the magistrate had so little respect for wasting my time.
Sure enough a court date turned up. I re adjusted my diary and made sure I was on a client site in Belgium / Spain / somewhere and duly wrote to the court explaining that I would be out of the country. The court responded and said it would apply to the magistrate to fix another date.
I also did a little research. Wrote to the correct departments asking for calibration, training certs, the whole 9 yards. None were returned even after numerous letters.
Late 2007, I get a demand to pay a fine of £310 for speeding fine and court costs. It seems the magistrate held the case in my absence and found me guilty and threw 4 point at me for good measure. I was now a little pissy.
A number of letters flew back and forth to the magistrates with me outlining that they had made an error and me demanding that they retract the verdict and set a new date for the case. They refused and said that any appeal would have to be sanctioned by the Crown Court.
I applied and guess what, got permission from a Judge to have the case re-heard. Yay.
I compiled a nice case built around destroying the abilities of the PS involved and the lack of training and calibration for the offending speed ace.
I called around a few solicitors specialising in this type of case, they offered to help but stated that there costs would be approx £3k, payable by me if I lost. That is fine, I wasn’t expecting them to be free but as I rated my chances at 50/50, it was too much money to gamble.
Off I go to the crown court. I was next to the murder trial and after the wife beating case. No Joke. After 5 mins with the wife and her kids jumping on everything screaming and doing “power ranger” impressions, I was ready to throw them out the window and join whichever case depending on if they bounced once or twice. I found a quiet “consultation room” and made some notes on my destruction of the CPS’s case. This was going to be easy. There was a knock on the door and a lawyer came and asked If I was Mr Gooby, I said yes and she asked if I was representing myself, I said “yes” and she politely explained (with perfect diction) that she was the prosecution Lawyer and wanted to lay out the case. We agreed on the points she would make, the process and the we agreed my points. She then introduced me to the officer who had come to give evidence (FECK) and who had brought his calibration certs and training certs (FECK FECK FECK).
The wife beating case went on a couple of hours later than expected and I went in. The Judge laid out the procedure and asked if I was happy to continue, I responded yes and he ajorned the court for lunch….. .. eh?
Back at 1pm.
I had lunch to decide what to do – I could not question his ability, he was trained, qualified and apparently , experienced. The only thing left was sincerity.
Called into court and we get underway. The copper is late and I had my fingers crossed but he arrived. The prosecution outlined the case and set about questioning the officer. They outline the events of the night. My turn to question…
Gooby; I have shot at bisley ant consider myself an experienced marksman, I consider it is impossible to maintain a target doing an alleged 40mph for 3-4seconds on a misty night at over 170m.
Officer; as a police marksman, I would say it was easy.
FECK … FECK … Lying barsteward
Gooby; guidelines state that all radios, mobile phones and sources of electromagnetic interference should be isolated and turned off. I know you had your radio on and you were leaning on a telecoms cabinet, could this have interfered with the readings?
Officer; The radio was off and I don’t recall leaning on a telecoms cabinet….
Fecker … lying barsteward
Gooby; I recall the conditions to be misty, this would interfere with the readings.
Officer; It was not misty that night..
OMG lying fecker.
There were a few other questions but same result.
My turn to be questioned. I went for my sincere approach. “I honestly believe I was not speeding, for a number of reasons…” I left it at that, the court adjourned and I waited for the result. I rated my chances at 2%. The judge came back and gave his verdict. No change in the result from the magistrates court. The judge thanked me for my sincerity and honesty and the way I presented my case (which was actually quite nice, I present to clients and it is nice to know the skill is transferable). The prosecution then requested costs, the salt in the wound. The judge pointed out that I was entitled to my fair hearing in court and that hadn’t taken place and I had been charged for it so application for £100 in court costs denied. .. Phew!
Afterwards the copper came over, I shook hands and said “fair enough”. He asked me if I still had the same car, I said yes. He asked if I knew about a local club, I told him yes and I am a member. A look of recognition passed across his face. He explained that in the summer he had pulled over an Elise for not having a front number plate and got the 6 following Lotus… Yes, that was me!
So I have 4 points and the same fine but I have managed to delay things so much my licence is a much nicer place to put the points and I didn’t go down without a fight. Never go down without a fight.
My latest.
In 2005, I was stopped by a traffic cop hiding in the mist at 1am on a Monday morning on an empty wide road. Usually I talk my self out these things with a lot of apologies but Mrs Gooby was very unwell and I was suffering a total humour failure so I just shut up (anything I was going to say would have been abusive so I said nothing) I got a ticket for 41 in a 30 zone.
A series of coincidences took place. It seems that whenever I was required to appear in court, I was out of the country on work.
In this time a friend called me up (while drunk, never good) and laughed at me about the traffic cop who pulled me over and I was “very rude too”! First I knew of it. Anyway he pointed out that the traffic cop was a friend of his and they were having a few drinks (few too many by the sounds of things) Even though it was late on a Friday night, I was still working, my team in California were working late which meant an 18 -20 hour day. Things were going bad and all I wanted to do was get to the hospital to see my wife. My mate then asked me if “I had a message for the copper”? Without thinking much I started to spout off. Thinking better I asked to be put on to him – I then really let rip. No, REALLY LET RIP. Probably not the best thing to do but hey, I needed it.
I did get a DEMAND to appear so I turned up, some arse of a magistrate accepted my plea of not guilty the adjourned the court to a later date so the “prosecution could prepare the case”. We had a short discussion regarding this as the prosecution had all the details in front of him and I argued that if he was too lazy to do his job then it is his lookout. The discussion didn’t go far, I was asked to leave the court after I requested an explanation as to why the magistrate had so little respect for wasting my time.
Sure enough a court date turned up. I re adjusted my diary and made sure I was on a client site in Belgium / Spain / somewhere and duly wrote to the court explaining that I would be out of the country. The court responded and said it would apply to the magistrate to fix another date.
I also did a little research. Wrote to the correct departments asking for calibration, training certs, the whole 9 yards. None were returned even after numerous letters.
Late 2007, I get a demand to pay a fine of £310 for speeding fine and court costs. It seems the magistrate held the case in my absence and found me guilty and threw 4 point at me for good measure. I was now a little pissy.
A number of letters flew back and forth to the magistrates with me outlining that they had made an error and me demanding that they retract the verdict and set a new date for the case. They refused and said that any appeal would have to be sanctioned by the Crown Court.
I applied and guess what, got permission from a Judge to have the case re-heard. Yay.
I compiled a nice case built around destroying the abilities of the PS involved and the lack of training and calibration for the offending speed ace.
I called around a few solicitors specialising in this type of case, they offered to help but stated that there costs would be approx £3k, payable by me if I lost. That is fine, I wasn’t expecting them to be free but as I rated my chances at 50/50, it was too much money to gamble.
Off I go to the crown court. I was next to the murder trial and after the wife beating case. No Joke. After 5 mins with the wife and her kids jumping on everything screaming and doing “power ranger” impressions, I was ready to throw them out the window and join whichever case depending on if they bounced once or twice. I found a quiet “consultation room” and made some notes on my destruction of the CPS’s case. This was going to be easy. There was a knock on the door and a lawyer came and asked If I was Mr Gooby, I said yes and she asked if I was representing myself, I said “yes” and she politely explained (with perfect diction) that she was the prosecution Lawyer and wanted to lay out the case. We agreed on the points she would make, the process and the we agreed my points. She then introduced me to the officer who had come to give evidence (FECK) and who had brought his calibration certs and training certs (FECK FECK FECK).
The wife beating case went on a couple of hours later than expected and I went in. The Judge laid out the procedure and asked if I was happy to continue, I responded yes and he ajorned the court for lunch….. .. eh?
Back at 1pm.
I had lunch to decide what to do – I could not question his ability, he was trained, qualified and apparently , experienced. The only thing left was sincerity.
Called into court and we get underway. The copper is late and I had my fingers crossed but he arrived. The prosecution outlined the case and set about questioning the officer. They outline the events of the night. My turn to question…
Gooby; I have shot at bisley ant consider myself an experienced marksman, I consider it is impossible to maintain a target doing an alleged 40mph for 3-4seconds on a misty night at over 170m.
Officer; as a police marksman, I would say it was easy.
FECK … FECK … Lying barsteward
Gooby; guidelines state that all radios, mobile phones and sources of electromagnetic interference should be isolated and turned off. I know you had your radio on and you were leaning on a telecoms cabinet, could this have interfered with the readings?
Officer; The radio was off and I don’t recall leaning on a telecoms cabinet….
Fecker … lying barsteward
Gooby; I recall the conditions to be misty, this would interfere with the readings.
Officer; It was not misty that night..
OMG lying fecker.
There were a few other questions but same result.
My turn to be questioned. I went for my sincere approach. “I honestly believe I was not speeding, for a number of reasons…” I left it at that, the court adjourned and I waited for the result. I rated my chances at 2%. The judge came back and gave his verdict. No change in the result from the magistrates court. The judge thanked me for my sincerity and honesty and the way I presented my case (which was actually quite nice, I present to clients and it is nice to know the skill is transferable). The prosecution then requested costs, the salt in the wound. The judge pointed out that I was entitled to my fair hearing in court and that hadn’t taken place and I had been charged for it so application for £100 in court costs denied. .. Phew!
Afterwards the copper came over, I shook hands and said “fair enough”. He asked me if I still had the same car, I said yes. He asked if I knew about a local club, I told him yes and I am a member. A look of recognition passed across his face. He explained that in the summer he had pulled over an Elise for not having a front number plate and got the 6 following Lotus… Yes, that was me!
So I have 4 points and the same fine but I have managed to delay things so much my licence is a much nicer place to put the points and I didn’t go down without a fight. Never go down without a fight.
Gooby
I have to admire you for trying so hard. I must admit I try and play the 'grey man' as much as possible and only fight when I have to. I always figure you can get things your own way more often if you can bend a bit and get those to bend with you. However after long hours at work sometimes there is no option but a big tip at whoever is winding you up, I can relate to that one. Fortunatly I have not had too many arguments with the law when in this frame of mind. I have had two court cases so far. The first they had a video camera on me when driving an Esprit at a unmarked police car pretty fast. I was overtaking at the time and the car coming the other way flashed me as if to say I was cutting it too close. I thought I was fine so pulled back out again to show just how close I could cut it, trouble is the car flashing me was an unmarked police car with a camera on me. Guilty as charged I am afraid. The other time was for 85 in a 50. I was doing it so no argument. As far as I was concerned 3 points and 2 week ban for 20 years of driving fun is a small price to pay!
C
I have to admire you for trying so hard. I must admit I try and play the 'grey man' as much as possible and only fight when I have to. I always figure you can get things your own way more often if you can bend a bit and get those to bend with you. However after long hours at work sometimes there is no option but a big tip at whoever is winding you up, I can relate to that one. Fortunatly I have not had too many arguments with the law when in this frame of mind. I have had two court cases so far. The first they had a video camera on me when driving an Esprit at a unmarked police car pretty fast. I was overtaking at the time and the car coming the other way flashed me as if to say I was cutting it too close. I thought I was fine so pulled back out again to show just how close I could cut it, trouble is the car flashing me was an unmarked police car with a camera on me. Guilty as charged I am afraid. The other time was for 85 in a 50. I was doing it so no argument. As far as I was concerned 3 points and 2 week ban for 20 years of driving fun is a small price to pay!
C
Nice try, much as it pains me to say unless you've got Mr loophole these days yer fecked. Pepipoo has become too well known & they've got wise to all the tricks used.
I've given up fighting & accepted that if they aren't going to play fair then nor am I. Sorry officer, couldn't get a reading, must of left my parking sensors on. A road angel, oh that's for alerting me to dangerous blackspots...
I've given up fighting & accepted that if they aren't going to play fair then nor am I. Sorry officer, couldn't get a reading, must of left my parking sensors on. A road angel, oh that's for alerting me to dangerous blackspots...
Hi Gooby... you just reminded its nearly three years since my last appearance on candid camera. I have a 32 days until the three points come off ** 
So do your points take effect from the date of conviction... or the "offence"????
So do your points take effect from the date of conviction... or the "offence"????
- FWIW - I do realise that they stay on the licence for another year... and the insurance co probably still want to know for another two
Gooby said:
He explained that in the summer he had pulled over an Elise for not having a front number plate and got the 6 following Lotus… Yes, that was me!
Ha ha I remember "that night" too. Copper starts with you... number plate too small... works back down the line... ok, ok, too small... then... "you don't even have one" (me sat there grinning!) ha ha.
Nice story Goob's, good work on challanging. Shame the copper was a lying fecker... gives others a bad name.
cheekymonkey said:
Nice story Goob's, good work on challanging. Shame the copper was a lying fecker... gives others a bad name.
To be honest, he was doing his job. He was there to add credibility to the case. I was doing my best to pick holes in what was a good case.But still... I would have liked to have a better judgement...
Good one, but try this, which happened yesterday......
Travelling on a A road, in the fog, stopped at traffic lights, BiB pulls alongside and requests that I turn off the front driving lights. As the lights were changing, I asked that he join me for a discussion on the roadside.....
.... where I demonstrated that the Audi A4 that I was driving has a single rotary switch for the lights, which pulls out to activate the the fog lights, the first pull being for the front lights, the second pull for the rear fog light, as it was foggy (even he admitted that) i didn't really have an option.....
Travelling on a A road, in the fog, stopped at traffic lights, BiB pulls alongside and requests that I turn off the front driving lights. As the lights were changing, I asked that he join me for a discussion on the roadside.....
.... where I demonstrated that the Audi A4 that I was driving has a single rotary switch for the lights, which pulls out to activate the the fog lights, the first pull being for the front lights, the second pull for the rear fog light, as it was foggy (even he admitted that) i didn't really have an option.....
dougc said:
If I've read this right, you allege that the officer lied 3 times in a Crown Court?
I wouldnt ever acuse an officer of lying (unless I had unrefutable proof).There are degrees of truth, I was biased towards my "truth", he towards his.
It is my opinion that a moving target at 170m is impossible target, especially when the target is the size of a small numberplate. His opinion is that it is easy.
If I wasnt so tight and paid £3k for a solicitor for the case then I am sure some case precident would have been quoted in order to back up my claims but with the chances, I was not going to waste the money. It wasnt worth £3k to me.
What was worth the money was delaying when the points went on my licence.
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