Safe Speed Forums

£2,600 to clear name
Mike Keegan
28/ 1/2008


A LORRY driver has won a David and Goliath court battle after three police officers claimed he used his mobile phone behind the wheel.

Anthony Jones faced a £60 fine after being told he had been spotted using the phone as he drove.

But Mr Jones, 41, from Denton, knew he was innocent and spent £2,600 to collect the evidence he needed to clear his name and fight the fine in court. His defence team used a tachometer report - which records the movement of his lorry - and a list from his mobile provider to prove he was not on the phone at the time.

After this was revealed to magistrates in Tameside, they cleared him of the offence and also said the £2,600 he had spent would be paid back.

The court heard how the officers had stopped the skip-lorry driver in Ashton town centre last May. All three claimed they had seen him holding something to his ear, but could not be sure it was a mobile phone.

Stationary

Information from Mr Jones's mobile provider showed he was not on the phone at that time and the tachometer showed that the lorry was stationary.

Mr Jones took the case to court after refusing to pay the fine on `principle'.

He and his wife Debbie revealed later that it could have ruined them.

"There were times when I felt like packing it in and paying up," said Mr Jones. "But it was a matter of principle. I had done nothing wrong and I was not guilty. I'm an honest guy."

He said not everyone accused of using a phone at the wheel would have been as fortunate as him, as a friend had helped by putting up the money to get the reports and, as a lorry driver, he also had the tachometer chart.

"Not everybody would have had that," he said.

He said: "This has cost taxpayers like me money that it shouldn't have done. The whole thing has been a nightmare and shouldn't have happened."

Magistrates heard the officer in charge had failed to take data from the phone, so the prosecution had to rely on the memories of the three officers.

Defence solicitor Carl Millar said: "It was clear that the case should not have reached the courts. The prosecution had to prove without any doubt that Mr Jones was on his phone.

"They clearly didn't do that."

If it the later then what's the difference between holding a brick?

So, we had three police officers who lied and a Clown Prostitution Officer who could not be arsed to check the evidence before proceeding.

I keep thinking it would be good fun to have a "hold your TV remote to your ear whenever you see the police" day.

No mention of dangerous driving I see...

So, we had three police officers who lied

Could I be done for holding a brick to my ear I wonder?

Is it the act of talking and being distracted by a voice or the act of holding ones hand to ones ear which is bad?

If it's the disraction then surely a hands free is no better?

If it the later then what's the difference between holding a brick?

You might as well talk to a wall.

PS In Safe Speed forums, some needs to check evidence before replying.