Author Topic: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence  (Read 1209 times)

0 Members and 0 Guests are viewing this topic.

NewJudge

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 583
  • Karma: +24/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2025, 06:40:01 pm »
We haven't see many lawyers on here charge less than £1,000 for representation in court for a straightforward matter.

However, this is far from straightforward.

You began by saying your brother had provided the police with a photograph of his car at a different location to the one where the police allege it was at the time of the offence. But then you say you he may "... possibly now complete the s172 and accept they may be mistaken than to take the matter to court."

It is not in his gift now whether or not the matter goes to court. I would suggest it is now too late to complete the s172 request as it getting to the point where the police have insufficient time to prosecute the driver for speeding. They have already extended the deadline (considerably by the sounds of it).

If he really was the driver his best hope is that he is "dual charged" with speeding as well. He can then request the usual "deal" (to plead guilty to speeding on the condition the more serious charge is dropped). This will be complicated somewhat by the evidence he initially provided to prove his car was elsewhere.

Any lawyer will want to get to the bottom of that before he accompanies your brother in court and that will probably add to the bill.
« Last Edit: March 09, 2025, 07:23:00 pm by NewJudge »

docklander

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2025, 07:45:45 pm »
I would suggest it is now too late to complete the s172 request as it getting to the point where the police have insufficient time to prosecute the driver for speeding.

At what point does it become too late to prosecute a driver for speeding after the alleged offence?

NewJudge

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 583
  • Karma: +24/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #17 on: March 09, 2025, 08:48:11 pm »
Six months from the date of the offence.

docklander

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #18 on: March 10, 2025, 04:16:14 pm »
Police have emailed, today, to say they will still accept a completed NIP.

Brother is torn as has only the CCTV screen shot and no other evidence.

The alleged offence is now very close to being 6 months old, in around 7 days time.

If he has existing points, do they look at that when considering what points to issue as I believe the indicator for his speed is 4 to 6 points?




BertB

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 126
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #19 on: March 10, 2025, 04:42:12 pm »
No, but depending on how many points he currently has, a successful prosecution may trigger a disqualification under the totting up process.

Would I be right in assuming that he is on 6 points, so 6 points for failure to furnish driver details would put him at 12, versus hoping a magistrate will calculate the original offence is worth less than 6 points even though he and his car wasn't at the location?

Where did this CCTV image come from? A neighbour or a business? It has been mentioned earlier, but the person who provided the CCTV image can attend court in the case of a NG plea and testify to its authenticity. Or is that not possible?

Edit, the speeding only has 7 days until timeout? He doesn't need a solicitor, he needs to complete the form and make sure it is back to them and acknowledged within that time period otherwise they will prosecute for FTF with no speeding option.   

« Last Edit: March 10, 2025, 04:45:14 pm by BertB »

NewJudge

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 583
  • Karma: +24/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #20 on: March 10, 2025, 04:46:33 pm »
What is the exact date of the offence and up to what date have the police said they will accept a completed request for driver's details?

Quote
If he has existing points, do they look at that when considering what points to issue as I believe the indicator for his speed is 4 to 6 points?

What difference does that make? Either he accepts he was the driver or he doesn't. Since a conviction for failing to provide the driver's details carries six points and the maximum for speeding (whatever the speed) also carries six points it will make no difference. As well as that, his decision should be on the basis of what he knows and accepts.

I think this is becoming a trifle bizarre, especially when you say the police will accept a response with seven days to go before the speeding offence times out.

docklander

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #21 on: March 10, 2025, 05:34:23 pm »
No, but depending on how many points he currently has, a successful prosecution may trigger a disqualification under the totting up process.

Would I be right in assuming that he is on 6 points, so 6 points for failure to furnish driver details would put him at 12, versus hoping a magistrate will calculate the original offence is worth less than 6 points even though he and his car wasn't at the location?

Yes, that is pretty much spot on.

Where did this CCTV image come from? A neighbour or a business? It has been mentioned earlier, but the person who provided the CCTV image can attend court in the case of a NG plea and testify to its authenticity. Or is that not possible?

On my brothers driveway.

Edit, the speeding only has 7 days until timeout? He doesn't need a solicitor, he needs to complete the form and make sure it is back to them and acknowledged within that time period otherwise they will prosecute for FTF with no speeding option.

So this confuses me. If he completes the form, he is stating he was the driver?

docklander

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #22 on: March 10, 2025, 05:36:25 pm »
What is the exact date of the offence and up to what date have the police said they will accept a completed request for driver's details?

Quote
If he has existing points, do they look at that when considering what points to issue as I believe the indicator for his speed is 4 to 6 points?

What difference does that make? Either he accepts he was the driver or he doesn't. Since a conviction for failing to provide the driver's details carries six points and the maximum for speeding (whatever the speed) also carries six points it will make no difference. As well as that, his decision should be on the basis of what he knows and accepts.

I think this is becoming a trifle bizarre, especially when you say the police will accept a response with seven days to go before the speeding offence times out.

The original date of offence was 19.09.2024. The problem us that what he knows vs what he accepts are two different things. He is sure/knows he wasnt there but accepting the speeding offence seems the lesser of two evils?

BertB

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 126
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #23 on: March 10, 2025, 06:59:11 pm »
Only if he replies ticking the 'I was the driver option'. But any other response is likely to see a FTF charge. The police are inviting him to cop for the speeding while there is still chance to prosecute for it. Otherwise they will go for FTF only, which is a nailed on 6 points unless your brother can defend the charge in a NG plea.

However it doesn't sound like he returned the form at all stating he was not the driver/not his vehicle. More just entered into correspondence instead.

On the face of it, that would make him guilty of failing to respond to the request.

docklander

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #24 on: March 10, 2025, 07:09:39 pm »
So, if he has points on his license already (3 currently, 3 pending), how likely are they to issue 4 points rather than 6, if a sincere, apologetic stance is taken?

Similarly, how likely is a NG defence to succeed with the evidence of a CCTV screenshot and a potential reported clone 2 weeks prior to this alleged offence?

Finally, should he declare the previous potential clone to the existing police force as currently they do not know about it?

andy_foster

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 951
  • Karma: +19/-20
  • Location: Reading
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #25 on: March 10, 2025, 07:10:32 pm »
However it doesn't sound like he returned the form at all stating he was not the driver/not his vehicle. More just entered into correspondence instead.

On the face of it, that would make him guilty of failing to respond to the request.

Twaddle. The form is neither here nor there.
The question is whether or not he has told the police that his vehicle was elsewhere/not involved in the alleged offence.

I have already asked the OP what information has been provided in response to the s. 172 requirement, and he replied
Quote
The owner of the vehicle provided photos of the car and then an image of CCTV showing the car elsewhere.

Whilst it seems implausible that there wasn't some meaningful explanation or statement accompanying what would otherwise be a random collection of holiday snaps, I am not a qualified dentist.
I am responsible for the accuracy of the information I post, not your ability to comprehend it.

docklander

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #26 on: March 11, 2025, 07:55:26 am »
However it doesn't sound like he returned the form at all stating he was not the driver/not his vehicle. More just entered into correspondence instead.

On the face of it, that would make him guilty of failing to respond to the request.

Twaddle. The form is neither here nor there.
The question is whether or not he has told the police that his vehicle was elsewhere/not involved in the alleged offence.

I have already asked the OP what information has been provided in response to the s. 172 requirement, and he replied
Quote
The owner of the vehicle provided photos of the car and then an image of CCTV showing the car elsewhere.

Whilst it seems implausible that there wasn't some meaningful explanation or statement accompanying what would otherwise be a random collection of holiday snaps, I am not a qualified dentist.


Andy, when the original letter was received, he wrote to the police explaining that he did not recognise being in that location at that time and asked for advice as to how best complete the form. The police responded by asking for photos of the car.

Over the next 5 months, email and written conversations followed. Recently, he sent in a CCTV image of the car on his driveway. The investigating officer has now referred the matter to prosecutions but said on 10.03 that he could still complete the Notice of Intended Prosecution but that had to be done "asap".

He has not mentioned the previous clone report to another police force (this was for an alleged offence some two weeks prior to the one being discussed now).

1. Do all matters passed over to prosecutions proceed to court?
2. If the speeding times out, does it become impossible for a SJPN to be issued?
3. If an SJPN is still issued and he uses the strategy of pleading guilty to speeding if the FTF is dropped, can that be agreed on the lower point basis (4 rather than 6) or does a judge still need to determine if its a 4 or 6 point penalty?

Thanks again for the advice and help. I am starting to think maybe I should not have offered to assist him but family eh?!

disgruntchelt

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
  • Karma: +0/-1
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #27 on: March 11, 2025, 08:52:42 am »
Frankly I’m not surprised the police are suspicious.  Writing to say I don’t recognise the location and don’t think my car was there and then many months later, oh and by the way my car was actually on my drive as my ring doorbell camera shows is a bit odd to say the least.

I would have thought the first letter should have said my car was on my drive as shown on my ring doorbell.  The police could then have checked the footage themselves via the app and seen your brother was telling the truth.
Agree Agree x 1 View List

NewJudge

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 583
  • Karma: +24/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #28 on: March 11, 2025, 09:02:35 am »
1. The police must issue a "written charge" together with an SJPN. This must be done before the six month time limit. Once this has been done it is very unusual for it to be reversed. The court must deal with it one way or another.

2. It's not impossible but if one is issued the charge can be defended on the basis that the proceedings were taken too late. Bear in mind that the FTF offence is not committed until 28 days after the first request is issued.

3. He does not get to "agree" the sentence. The "deal" (to plead guilty to speeding if the FTF is dropped) is agreed between him and the prosecutor. After that the court decides the appropriate penalty. Tell us the speed and limit and we can give you an idea of the likely number of points.

My hunch is that, whatever he has done or plans to do, the police will have begun proceedings by now. There is only eight days to go before the speeding offence times out. If he plans not to defend the FTF charge he must hope he is charged with speeding as well. This will give him the opportunity to offer the deal. Whether it will be agreed in view of his earlier insistence that his car was not involved is anybody's guess.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2025, 09:07:28 am by NewJudge »

docklander

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: s172 out of time and police refusal to accept evidence
« Reply #29 on: March 11, 2025, 09:42:50 am »
Tell us the speed and limit and we can give you an idea of the likely number of points.

It was 35 in a 20,

"It's not impossible but if one is issued the charge can be defended on the basis that the proceedings were taken too late. Bear in mind that the FTF offence is not committed until 28 days after the first request is issued."

Does the FTF ever time out?
« Last Edit: March 11, 2025, 09:44:32 am by docklander »