West Yorkshire Police Officer Jailed For Nominating his Wife as Driver to Avoid Receiving Points
A police officer and his wife, both employed by West Yorkshire Police have received prison sentences for perverting the course of justice after it was discovered that they gave false information about the driver responsible for speeding offences.
On two occasions, cameras has recorded a male driver, but each time the couple decided to nominate the driver’s wife, to avoid the driver receiving points and facing a totting up disqualification. On the first occasion, she sat a speed awareness course and on the second would ordinarily have receive a fixed penalty and 3 points.
Once this was discovered and investigated, both were charged with perverting the course of justice and subsequently pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court. The Judge imposed an immediate 6 month custodial sentence on the male driver and a 4 month suspended sentence on his wife.
This case highlights the importance and significance of dealing properly with police correspondence. When a Notice of Intended Prosecution is served it is vital that a full and honest to avoid a wide range of adverse consequences.
The law requires that a response is provided within the 28 day time limit. At SBC Motoring Law, we see cases where the implications of failing to do have disastrous consequences. In addition to an untruthful response nominating a family member, we also see cases where drivers try to nominate a false driver, citing a name and the fact that the person has left the country. This is usually uncovered quickly when the police make further enquiries as it is not normally anticipated by divers that insurance records and immigration logs will be referred to where a suspicion arises.
In less serious cases, where drivers have failed to update the V5 address for the vehicle, or choose not to respond to letters clearly and in time, a prosecution will be brought for Failing to Identify a Driver, resulting in 6 penalty points on the driver’s licence and a large financial penalty. Where you cannot be certain of who was driving, you should take advice regarding how to respond, to avoid such implications.
Our advice is that it is always important to be truthful and to keep a record of the response sent. We can assist to mitigate the implications of admitting the offences – for New Drivers, Totting Up Disqualifications and High Speed Disqualifications. If you have received a Notice of Intended Prosecution and need advice, call our team today on 01332 987420.
