notice of intended prosecution

[nanscamp]

today I have received a 'notice of intended prosecution' for driving through a red light. However, the date stated is 11 August and I did not buy the car until 2 Sepember. I have the receipt from the dealer and the change of owner document with the relevant dates on. My question is why have I got this and not the keeper at the time of the offence? I have never had anything like this before and it has really worried me. I can prove I was at work at the time.

[petal54]

contact whoever contacted you,this'll get ball rolling,hopefully in your direction

[nanscamp]

I have a form to fill in and send by recorded delivery. I have to provide documents to prove it wasnt me. Why did the previous owner not get the prosecution.?

[buildersmate]

It's obviously a foul up, so don't worry.
NIPs are supposed to be lobbed out by the system within 14 days of the offence. In this case, it seems likely it went to clearly went to the intermediary organisation who was the registered keeper at the time - the dealer. The idiot probably responded by saying he'd sold the car to you.
Then the DVLA lob the NIP out your way.
That's my guess as to how it has happened.

[petal54]

prob said it had been sold earlier than it really was,some folk very slimy customers

[nanscamp]

thanks for your replies. I will send all my stuff off and hope for the best.

[nanscamp]

That sounds quite reasonable. The offence took place near to the dealers site. General opinion is this is what has happened.

[hammerman]

Had this happen a couple of times with for congestion charges after selling cars and usually find that after replying with all the facts and proof, the authority will drop the case.

Don't worry about it, it'll be fine but just make sure you reply.

[Gmcd01]

I once got an NIP for driving at 97mph in a 70mph in Cambridgeshire. Although the registration was mine, it wasn't my make/model of car, I was at work on the date in question and I don't recall ever going to Cambridgeshire. I rang up, worried that my plates had been cloned, but the lady explained that the registrations are manually taken from the photos and mistakes happen. I returned the letter and heard nothing more.

[scotman]

previous postings give good advice. All I can add is that you should only send copies of any documents, never send the originals.