WHILST outspoken, I am not known as a particularly criminal person. Yet, I have probably encountered the police more than Mr Still. Thus I relate my experiences.
Two years ago I committed the grievous crime of parking in a disabled space outside the infirmary where I had an appointment. I drove away just before the traffic warden got round to ticketing me. Because, he was angry, and I did not stop when he stepped into the gutter and waved at me, an initial claim of assault was worked up to a dangerous driving charge.
I successfully defended myself at Preston Crown Court. The judge indicated that the charge was a gross overkill. Yet, even with human rights and freedoms, I am not allowed the £5,000 cost of lost earnings I suffered. A lot of lost time was because the police stalled for six months about showing me the warden's pocket book, and the ticket he alleged he had started to write.
The day before the trial the police and crown prosecutor admitted that they did not have any such items because the warden had not been following correct procedure.
When the Labour party wanted me in court for contributing with posters to ex-councillor Henig's downfall, I was visited at 8am on a Saturday morning. Why at this anti-social time? Charges were made and later withdrawn after a lot of wasted time on all sides. When I challenge a woman pretending to sell a student rag magazine in Penny Street and tricking the public into parting with money that ends up in the pocket of herself and her sidekick, it is a trumped up allegation that I assaulted her that concerns the police most.
After being caught in a speeding trap I went to the police station the next day to show my papers as required to avoid a further offence. I had not at that time decided whether to pay up or challenge it in court. I was told, wrongly, that I could not meet the showing requirement, without making the pay up and surrender my licence decision at the same time. A young police officer then had his hand to my throat after I stood up when he snatched my licence off me across the desk. I did start the complaint procedure, but after I was assured the incident had been properly recorded, I was happy not to press it further.
PS - Don't think the CPS is independent of the police. Being a freelance prosecutor for the CPS is a pension-booster for policemen after early retirement. Are they be independent "ministers of justice"?
Michael Jackson Hest Bank WHILST outspoken, I am not known as a particularly criminal person. Yet, I have probably encountered the police more than Mr Still. Thus I relate my experiences.
Two years ago I committee the grievous crime of parking in a disabled space outside the infirmary where I had an appointment. I drove away just before the traffic warden got round to ticketing me. Because, he was angry, and I did not stop when he stepped into the gutter and waved at me, an initial claim of assault was worked up to a dangerous driving charge.
I successfully defended myself at Preston Crown Court. The judge indicated that the charge was a gross overkill. Yet, even with human rights and freedoms, I am not allowed the £5,000 cost of lost earnings I suffered. A lot of lost time was because the police stalled for six months about showing me the warden's pocket book, and the ticket he alleged he had started to write.
The day before the trial the police and crown prosecutor admitted that they did not have any such items because the warden had not been following correct procedure.
When the Labour party wanted me in court for contributing with posters to ex-councillor Henig's downfall, I was visited at 8.00 am on a Saturday morning. Why at this anti-social time? Charges were made and later withdrawn after a lot of wasted time on all sides. When I challenge a woman pretending to sell a student rag magazine in Penny Street and tricking the public into parting with money that ends up in the pocket of herself and her pseudo-pimp, it is a trumped up allegation that I assaulted her that concerns the police most.
After being caught in a speeding trap I went to the police station the next day to show my papers as required to avoid a further offence. I had not at that time decided whether to pay up or challenge it in court. I was told, wrongly, that I could not meet the showing requirement, without making the pay up and surrender my licence decision at the same time. The young police officer then had his hand to my throat after I stood up when he snatched my licence off me across the desk. I did start the complaint procedure, but after I was assured the incident had been properly recorded, I was happy not to press it further.
PS - Don't think the Crown Prosecution Service is independent of the police. Being a free-lance prosecutor for the CPS is a pension-booster for policemen after early retirement. How can they be independent "ministers of justice" as the Home Office spin tells us.
Michael Jackson
Peacock Lane
Lancaster
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