Safe Speed Forums

The campaign for genuine road safety
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:11

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 13:24 
Offline
Life Member
Life Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2005 21:17
Posts: 3734
Location: Dorset/Somerset border
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8791578.Bournemouth_driver_wins_speed_camera_challenge/

Quote:
Bournemouth driver wins speed camera challenge

A BOURNEMOUTH driver successfully challenged two speed camera fines because of the poor quality of the images.

James Woolford, from Milton Road, is now urging other motorists to check the evidence against them in speed camera cases.

The 30-year-old land buyer received three notices of intended prosecution (NIPs) from the notorious speed camera on Holes Bay Road, Poole.

Unsure if he was responsible for all the alleged offences, James was advised to take the matter through the courts.

When the images captured by the camera were produced at Weymouth magistrates, they were so inconclusive the prosecution dropped two of the three charges.

“They were so blurred you couldn’t even see the numberplate, let alone read it,” he said.

“You certainly couldn’t see who the driver was.”

James was happy to admit the other offence as the numberplate could just be made out in the photo.

But he said people should contest the fines, rather than be pushed down the route of admitting guilt based on potentially flimsy evidence.

“The whole thrust of the speed camera system is to make people take the points and the conviction,” he said.

“I felt I was the one who had to prove my innocence when the law says you have to be proven guilty.”

Ian Belchamber, from campaign website Dorset Speed, said James’s case could open the floodgates for similar claims.

“Hundreds, possibly thousands, of drivers may have received NIPs who should not have and some may have lost their licences as a result,” he said.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the two disputed cases should not have been dropped.

Instead, enhanced photographs should have been requested in which “the registration number would have been clear”.

A CPS spokesman said: “The Central Ticket Office, Traffic Prosecutions Unit and the CPS work closely to ensure people are only prosecuted when there is strong evidence to support the case.

“In this case, as a result of a misunderstanding, two summonses have been dismissed which could have resulted in a conviction.”


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 14:42 
Offline
Gold Member
Gold Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 14:26
Posts: 4364
Location: Hampshire/Wiltshire Border
The CPS said "We know he's guilty. Just believe us. There's no need for good evidence."

_________________
Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 17:19 
Offline
Police Officer
Police Officer

Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 22:37
Posts: 279
Location: Warrington
Once again a technicallity which rightly or wrongly he got away with,but that doesnt mean he was not guilty,which he obviously was as he never once denied it was him just that the quality of the evidence was poor,which is a poor show on behalf of the people who run the camera.
Stephen


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 17:33 
Offline
Life Member
Life Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2005 21:17
Posts: 3734
Location: Dorset/Somerset border
Strict technical offences require strict technical prosecution, otherwise the defendant isn't - what's that word? - guilty.


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 13:29 
Offline
User

Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 17:20
Posts: 258
how can they send out NIP's if they cannot read the number plate, AFAIK they are not allowed to carry out partial PNC searches for speeding offences.


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You can post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
[ Time : 0.016s | 15 Queries | GZIP : Off ]