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OK, hard for me to write this as I know I was completely in the wrong but I feel I will get 'flamed' with the circumstances I will describe.
I was caught speeding on my 600cc scooter one evening on a dead straight road of over 0.6 miles long, which was a very lit road, even for that time of night. (Please note, I am not excusing any of my actions with descriptions of how this isn't a 'crime'). I was riding home from a friends house where I had been helping with his computer problems. The road I was on before the road I got registered for speeding is a long, wide road with a speed limit of 50mph. I turned onto the 30mph road and was speeding along here when I was stopped by a police officer using laser gun (LTI 20:20?).
Whilst I was driving home, maybe about 10-15 mins before being stopped, I had a heart palpitation. (I had an atrial flutter about 4-5 years which was treated with a cadioversion and then a cardo ablation. I still get palpitations maybe on average once or twice a year. I have medication I take daily to control the arrhythmia and when I get a palpitation, I have been instructed by the cardiologies to take another half a pill of my medication [Bisoprolol], which I usually carry around with me. On this evening, I had forgotten to take my single pill with me so I was literally rushing to get home to get my medication. This does not affect my driving and I have not been advised by my cardiologist that I need to report this condition to the DVLA.)
I stopped for the police officer and immediately informed him that I needed to get home to get my medication for my heart palpitation. He did not respond to this information, instead grabbed my arm aggresively and said he had had a number of motorcycles run off on him. He then reach over and pull the keys out of my bike.
I said the usual stuff about being sorry for speeding but he was relishing in the fact that "this was going to the magistrate" as my speed was well over the limit - 56 mph, I conceded I was speeding but I really needed to get home for my medication.
The officer then walk away to his vehicle (15 meters away) and at this time I thought, he has my details and particulars and I really need my medication, so I left the scene. Again, I know this was not the correct thing to do but I was desperate to get home to get my medication. So I left.
I then subsequently received a small ticket in the post with a hand written name and address, called a 'Report for Summons'. This detail two charges of RR84706 (Speeding) and RT88578 (Failed to Stop). I fully expected the officer to appear on my doorstop that evening but nothing happened.
The offence happened on 25 June 2025.
Small Ticket arrived around the 30 June 2025.
SJPN received on 6 August 2025.
I have 21 days to respond - by the 26 August 2025.
I have a few questions. Is there any details from the above that can help with my mitigation?
Secondly, am I likely to get a ban for these offences or maybe points and fine? I actually drive school minibuses for my job so any ban will certainly affect my ability to work. Also, I was reading that a driving disqualification cannot be imposed by a single magistrate, which is how these offences will be heard. If that is the case, does it mean I will not get a ban?
Is there any information I can use to mitigate my circumstances here? I feel I am an upstanding member of my community. I am the Vice-Chair of my local residents' association and dedicate a great deal of time to improving the area for those who live there. I serve as a licensed minibus driver for three schools in my local area, regularly transporting young people safely to and from school, home and events they may attend. And I have worked for various charities over the last 4-5 years helping with their computer needs.
I have also recently undergone further surgery on my neck after having thyroid cancer and having a full thyroidectomy. I am under the supervision of the Royal Marsden and was tested again at the beginning of this year and more cancerous cells were identified. My surgery was booked for the 21 July 2025 and this was also on my mind. My procedure was nearly 3 hours long with various risks which was making me quite anxious when I was stopped.
In summary, I concede I was speeding and that I should not have left the scene. In no way am I defending my actions, but I feel with my symptoms that evening, I had to do the right thing for me and my health.
I do need to respond with a plea to the SJPN and wondered what I should be including to help mitigate my situation.
I will obviously respond with a Guilty plea to the speeding, but responding with a guilty plea to the failing to stop is troubling me as I did stop. The officer concedes that in his report. Should I respond to that with a Not Guilty or will that not help my mitigation and perhaps antagonise the magistrate.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
.
I was caught speeding on my 600cc scooter one evening on a dead straight road of over 0.6 miles long, which was a very lit road, even for that time of night. (Please note, I am not excusing any of my actions with descriptions of how this isn't a 'crime'). I was riding home from a friends house where I had been helping with his computer problems. The road I was on before the road I got registered for speeding is a long, wide road with a speed limit of 50mph. I turned onto the 30mph road and was speeding along here when I was stopped by a police officer using laser gun (LTI 20:20?).
Whilst I was driving home, maybe about 10-15 mins before being stopped, I had a heart palpitation. (I had an atrial flutter about 4-5 years which was treated with a cadioversion and then a cardo ablation. I still get palpitations maybe on average once or twice a year. I have medication I take daily to control the arrhythmia and when I get a palpitation, I have been instructed by the cardiologies to take another half a pill of my medication [Bisoprolol], which I usually carry around with me. On this evening, I had forgotten to take my single pill with me so I was literally rushing to get home to get my medication. This does not affect my driving and I have not been advised by my cardiologist that I need to report this condition to the DVLA.)
I stopped for the police officer and immediately informed him that I needed to get home to get my medication for my heart palpitation. He did not respond to this information, instead grabbed my arm aggresively and said he had had a number of motorcycles run off on him. He then reach over and pull the keys out of my bike.
I said the usual stuff about being sorry for speeding but he was relishing in the fact that "this was going to the magistrate" as my speed was well over the limit - 56 mph, I conceded I was speeding but I really needed to get home for my medication.
The officer then walk away to his vehicle (15 meters away) and at this time I thought, he has my details and particulars and I really need my medication, so I left the scene. Again, I know this was not the correct thing to do but I was desperate to get home to get my medication. So I left.
I then subsequently received a small ticket in the post with a hand written name and address, called a 'Report for Summons'. This detail two charges of RR84706 (Speeding) and RT88578 (Failed to Stop). I fully expected the officer to appear on my doorstop that evening but nothing happened.
The offence happened on 25 June 2025.
Small Ticket arrived around the 30 June 2025.
SJPN received on 6 August 2025.
I have 21 days to respond - by the 26 August 2025.
I have a few questions. Is there any details from the above that can help with my mitigation?
Secondly, am I likely to get a ban for these offences or maybe points and fine? I actually drive school minibuses for my job so any ban will certainly affect my ability to work. Also, I was reading that a driving disqualification cannot be imposed by a single magistrate, which is how these offences will be heard. If that is the case, does it mean I will not get a ban?
Is there any information I can use to mitigate my circumstances here? I feel I am an upstanding member of my community. I am the Vice-Chair of my local residents' association and dedicate a great deal of time to improving the area for those who live there. I serve as a licensed minibus driver for three schools in my local area, regularly transporting young people safely to and from school, home and events they may attend. And I have worked for various charities over the last 4-5 years helping with their computer needs.
I have also recently undergone further surgery on my neck after having thyroid cancer and having a full thyroidectomy. I am under the supervision of the Royal Marsden and was tested again at the beginning of this year and more cancerous cells were identified. My surgery was booked for the 21 July 2025 and this was also on my mind. My procedure was nearly 3 hours long with various risks which was making me quite anxious when I was stopped.
In summary, I concede I was speeding and that I should not have left the scene. In no way am I defending my actions, but I feel with my symptoms that evening, I had to do the right thing for me and my health.
I do need to respond with a plea to the SJPN and wondered what I should be including to help mitigate my situation.
I will obviously respond with a Guilty plea to the speeding, but responding with a guilty plea to the failing to stop is troubling me as I did stop. The officer concedes that in his report. Should I respond to that with a Not Guilty or will that not help my mitigation and perhaps antagonise the magistrate.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
.
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