Bin Fine - I need Help!

[Jfw1798]

In February, me and my uni housemates received a fine for leaving our bins out on a non collection day. I was deep into my overdraft and stupidly photoshopped the dates of an old train ticket to show that I wasn’t at the address at the time the ‘offence’ was committed. They accepted this as an excuse and the fine was dropped. Last week (November) I received an email invitation to attend a PACE interview regarding a bin fine. There has been no indication that the interview is regarding the photoshopped ticket, but there’s nothing else I can think it could be about. What’s my best course of action? Fess up at the interview and come clean? Or say I cant remember what happened in February? If that I was to do that, what would the outcome be for either approach? Fine? Criminal record? If so, what impact would that have on my job prospects? I am extremely stressed and would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

[islandgirl]

One thing is for sure - DO NOT ATTEND WITHOUT A SOLICITOR! Any record will impact you - they may say they will "just" give you a warning but this remains on record. I would get your solicitor to ask the police what the interview is about and go from there.

[dslippy]

Again, do not allow an interview without having a solicitor present. The duty solicitor scheme provides one for free.

[Manxman]

Is the OP being invited to a PACE interview at a police station, or at the offices of the council's environment enforcement officers? (Or whatever they're called). I presume it's the council prosecuting him and not the police. Will there be a duty solicitor present as a matter of course?

[islandgirl]

They said the police and a PACE internview. You are correct Manxman it would normally be a council interview and the council would decide whether to prosecute. No duty solicitor available as you say. Even if council I would say do not attend without a solicitor. Hope the OP comes back and gives us more info

[Manxman]

I don't think the OP mentioned the police - just PACE. I suppose the question is whether a PACE interview can only be conducted by the police? (I assume not as I presume Trading Standards officers involved in prosecutions can carry out PACE interviews, so I presume other council enforcement officers may be able to do so as well. But I may be completely mistaken about that).

In any case, I presume being found guilty of leaving your bin out on the wrong day* (as anti-social as that is) wouldn't result in a recordable criminal conviction?

As you say, it would be helpful to have some relevant detail.


*I hope it's nothing potentially more serious like the OP unwisely altering their train ticket dates to make it appear that they weren't at home at the relevant time and date?

[islandgirl]

Hi Manxman - the OP did photoshop the ticket...

[sandfordboy]

Surely this entire matter should be dealt with in compliance with section.46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 ?

[dslippy]

No. The bin fine, perhaps, but the photoshopping of the evidence is a straight criminal offence of either fraud, perversion of the course of justice, or producing a false instrument.

[sandfordboy]

Thank you DSPILLY , my learned friend & hope that JFW1798 understands.