AP Wins One and Loses One - A Fair Cop - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Aussie Pete · 09-14-2004, 19:19

Well, my run had to end and as of today my clean licence is no more.

Earlier this year I told a driver to turn off his high beam in traffic to which the return favour was road rage and aggressive chasing of myself in city traffic. The funny thing was this all occurred in plain view of two NSW Police in an unmarked Commodore. They chose to do nothing, instead deciding to visit my house in the early hours of the morning to say they clocked me doing an insane speed and were throwing numerous charges at me.

So, I wrote a letter to the Police outlining my concerns that the officers hadn't acted properly (watching instead of protecting), and for that matter neither had I although I had reasons for doing what I did.

To cut a long story short my solicitor today advised that after representations at the courts (since the Police chose to pursue the matters with no compromise) all matters were dismissed except a speeding fine which was in itself downgraded. I would have rather had that dismissed too, but it is a fair compromise and even where I sit some form of punishment was probably appropriate. Due to errors on our side in court proceedings we failed to get a no conviction decision but put that down to a lesson learnt for next time.

The reason I write this is you should always be honest, fair, and pursue your rights to have your opinions and views heard in a court of law. In this case common sense reigned and whilst it has cost me a fair amount of money I could have done the same for very little cost if I was living in the same city as the hearing. And as I write I still hold a valid licence, something I could not have said if I gave up and accepted the stance of the NSW Police.

Now, go get 'em!

blackout · 09-14-2004, 19:22

Well I will say that if it happened to me and I knew that there was cops watching, I wouldn't let that rest. Especially if for that matter they were going to throw the book at me for it.

xdc351 · 09-14-2004, 19:38

Good work mate, shame it was not thrown out completely though!

fpv f6t · 09-14-2004, 20:28

One up for the little guy!
Great to hear AP, thats a win in anybodies book. Just shows what some perseverence and belief in whats right can achieve.

bladeXR8 · 09-14-2004, 21:18

Well done Pete.

Henry F · 09-14-2004, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpv f6t

One up for the little guy!

LOL!!

T_Terror · 09-15-2004, 00:55

Well done Pete, good to see you didnt have to cop anything in the end.

Its still outrageous though, that story would do well on A Current Affair methinks...

galaxy xr8 · 09-15-2004, 03:18

Were you being persued or were you the persurer in the initial incindent that started it all?.

pauljh74 · 09-15-2004, 20:36

Sue the cops for failing to do their job - recoup some money lost perhaps. They have a duty of care, and considering they were there and chose to do nothing, that's negligent on their part.

Aussie Pete · 09-15-2004, 23:17

I never pursued anyone - you should be able to wind your window down and say something about high beams without people wanting to chase you down or exhibit other threatening behaviour.

The cops could have done things a lot better but sometimes you have to realise you could have done so yourself as well. Hindsight is a wonderful thing when judging others.