News1 min ago
Beckham's Speeding Fine - And Escape.
76 Answers
The media has got itself into a massive robble about David Beckham's speeding fine, and the fact that he has employed an expensive lawyer who has managed to get the case thrown out.
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The Mail especially has vilified Mr Beckham, criticising his spending on wine, his marriage, his image, and so on - all completely irrelevant to the issue - in a manner that is utterly beyond reason.
Let me declare from the outset - I do not for one moment condone Mr Beckham's offence, which is serious, and irresponsible.
But the fact remains, his case was dismissed on a technicality - he has not broken to law to have his case thrown out, his lawyer has used legal process open to anyone in the same position.
Your thoughts on this?
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The Mail especially has vilified Mr Beckham, criticising his spending on wine, his marriage, his image, and so on - all completely irrelevant to the issue - in a manner that is utterly beyond reason.
Let me declare from the outset - I do not for one moment condone Mr Beckham's offence, which is serious, and irresponsible.
But the fact remains, his case was dismissed on a technicality - he has not broken to law to have his case thrown out, his lawyer has used legal process open to anyone in the same position.
Your thoughts on this?
Answers
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The papers were served late, any one in the same situation would have got off. Just going to the court and asking to see the duty solicitor (which is free to anyone) would ensure you got off. I had exactly the same speeding fine and served a week too late. I went to court on the date and saw the duty solicitor (free of charge to ANYONE) he spoke to the magistrate and the case was dismissed without me needing to attend court.
Tony, it’s also been reported he has 9 points
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“Beckham's lawyer was smarter than the opposition in this case…”
No he wasn’t. All he did was to raise a point of law as a defence and produce evidence to support that point. The opposition didn't need to be smart as there was no “smartness” involved. An unrepresented defendant could have done exactly the same. The law is quite clear: a notice has to be served within 14 days. Bentley Motors (on whom the notice was served) stamped the notice as “received” on day 15 and the court accepted that as more likely to be the truth of the matter.
“I would hope that Bentley Motors who appear to be the registered keeper have not told,or been asked by the police.who was driving their vehicle at the time of the alleged offence by boy Beckam otherwise they should be facing charges.”
They were asked and they replied, retro. If they had not, Mr Beckham would not have been involved.
“If the registered keeper failed to disclose the driver's details within the time frame required by law (14days for a NIP)”
28 days, retro. And not to respond to the NIP (a NIP is simply a notice and requires no response), but to respond to the S172 request.
“Perhaps he would have accepted a speed awareness course instead.”
He wouldn’t have been offered one. Courses are offered (in a 40mph limit) up to 53mph (Limit + 10% + 9mph). The speed alleged was 59mph. He was probably offered a fixed penalty (£100 and three points) but turned it down as he intended to defend the matter in court.
“Not with 9 points on his licence”
It is not at all clear how many (if any) points Mr Beckham had on his licence. However, having nine (or any other number) of points on a driver’s licence is not a bar to him being offered a course. The only conditions are (1) the speed alleged (see above); (2) that he had not done a course for an offence that occurred in the previous three years and (3) the offence did not occur in Scotland (courses are not offered in Scotland). There are some complications with courses done or offered by Dorset police but they need not concern us here.
“If the police had been more efficient, there wouldn’t have been any ‘technicalities’ to use in defence.”
“The police cocked up”
The police do not send out NIPs.
“ Just going to the court and asking to see the duty solicitor (which is free to anyone) would ensure you got off. “
The duty solicitor is now only available to give advice to defendants appearing on a charge for the first time and only if the offence carries a custodial sentence. Speeding does not carry a custodial sentence.
It’s time for bed now, but if I can help with any more misunderstandings in this fairly straightforward matter please feel free to ask.
No he wasn’t. All he did was to raise a point of law as a defence and produce evidence to support that point. The opposition didn't need to be smart as there was no “smartness” involved. An unrepresented defendant could have done exactly the same. The law is quite clear: a notice has to be served within 14 days. Bentley Motors (on whom the notice was served) stamped the notice as “received” on day 15 and the court accepted that as more likely to be the truth of the matter.
“I would hope that Bentley Motors who appear to be the registered keeper have not told,or been asked by the police.who was driving their vehicle at the time of the alleged offence by boy Beckam otherwise they should be facing charges.”
They were asked and they replied, retro. If they had not, Mr Beckham would not have been involved.
“If the registered keeper failed to disclose the driver's details within the time frame required by law (14days for a NIP)”
28 days, retro. And not to respond to the NIP (a NIP is simply a notice and requires no response), but to respond to the S172 request.
“Perhaps he would have accepted a speed awareness course instead.”
He wouldn’t have been offered one. Courses are offered (in a 40mph limit) up to 53mph (Limit + 10% + 9mph). The speed alleged was 59mph. He was probably offered a fixed penalty (£100 and three points) but turned it down as he intended to defend the matter in court.
“Not with 9 points on his licence”
It is not at all clear how many (if any) points Mr Beckham had on his licence. However, having nine (or any other number) of points on a driver’s licence is not a bar to him being offered a course. The only conditions are (1) the speed alleged (see above); (2) that he had not done a course for an offence that occurred in the previous three years and (3) the offence did not occur in Scotland (courses are not offered in Scotland). There are some complications with courses done or offered by Dorset police but they need not concern us here.
“If the police had been more efficient, there wouldn’t have been any ‘technicalities’ to use in defence.”
“The police cocked up”
The police do not send out NIPs.
“ Just going to the court and asking to see the duty solicitor (which is free to anyone) would ensure you got off. “
The duty solicitor is now only available to give advice to defendants appearing on a charge for the first time and only if the offence carries a custodial sentence. Speeding does not carry a custodial sentence.
It’s time for bed now, but if I can help with any more misunderstandings in this fairly straightforward matter please feel free to ask.
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