Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

[fluffy25]

Hi all I was hoping for some help and advice pls as title says I did not attend my speed awareness course mainly due to a crisis flare-up of my mental health conditions and I buried my head in the sand and now have received a magistrates court summons and don't know what to do.
Can anyone advise on the punishment I am likely to receive and if I should include the fact that I did know about the course I booked and paid for and didn't attend (as mentioned this was due to health conditions). I not sure what to write as ultimately it's my own fault but don't want the judge to think I want to wriggle out of it so to speak. Any help would be gratefuly accepted.

[des8]

Re: Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

You will now be prosecuted for the original offence.
Result (depending on the offence ) will probably be points and a fine.

As you are now aware if you fail to turn up for the course you forfeit the fee.

If you fail to attend due to a medical condition you may be able to rebook (£40 fee) but you will need a medical certificate or doctor's letter
There are time limits, but you can always ask the police force if this is an option.

[fluffy25]

Re: Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

Thanks Des I dont feel up2 attending a course even if they would reschedule so I won't waste there time asking. Should I mention a flare-up in my medical condition as mitigation or is this a time to just hold my hands up and say yes I did 36 in a 30 and yes I did book an pay for a course an knowingly never turned up? Thanks in advance Fluffy

[wales01man]

Re: Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

Tell the truth in Court and provide evidence if you can better than telling stories may get it back to a fine and 3 points which was the first penalty

[des8]

Re: Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

The fact you missed the course should not affect the magistrate's decision.
You are answering a charge of speeding.
If it is mentioned, as Wales says, just tell it as it was.

[fluffy25]

Re: Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

Thanks for the advice, yes I could give them endless proof of my bipolar and BPD as I have been under the treatment of my GP, consultant psychiatrist and community mental health team for the last 11 years. My worry was that mentioning these conditions would open the possibility that the magistrate may consider it impedes my ability to hold a driving licence, which is not the case as I've been treated for 11 years and have held my driving licence for 18 years (since the age of 17) and never had an accident or even a single set of points (till now that is) lol. Right I will give filling in the form a go and see how it goes.

[fluffy25]

Re: Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

Thanks for the advice so far, I just wanted to ask if it's acceptable to fill in the form and plead guilty (documenting my mitigation) by post? Or would it be more beneficial to attend court in person?

Also as mentioned by Wales I have some hope be it slim, of the magistrate offering the original 3 points £100 fine again. Should I ask if this could be considered when I fill in form or would that likely annoy the court as it's kind of telling them what to do an thus rubbing them up the wrong way? Cheers

[des8]

Re: Missed speed awareness course now have magistrates court summons

I suspect the better beneficial approach will depend on how convincing you can be when speaking on behalf of yourself in court.
If you can appear contrite and apologetic, and get the chance to explain in an unflustered manner why you missed the course, and so now have to take the courts time rather than accept the Fixed penalty, you stand a better chance of reducing the penalty.
If you only write the court may interpret that as a "can't be bothered" attitude and react accordingly.
IMO it's all a bit of a lottery anyway (what side of the bed did the magistrate get out off?),