Police statement.

[Beetleboy]

Hi, i wondered if anyone could advise me on the likely outcome of my speeding trial which is this coming week in the Magistrates court. The actual prosecution evidence is 1,Photo of hand held laser device showing my “alleged “speed. 2,Copy of ticket given to me at the roadside by officer using the device. 3, The written and sworn statement by the officer involved. My defence is that the officer involved has been grossly negligent in his witness statement. He starts his statement by saying his colleague early on the day the in question,tested a hand held laser device with the serial number (lets say)TKO1234 and no errors were recorded. This was at the Operational Command Centre. Then several hours later he states that he carried out a speed check on my vehicle using a device with the serial number TKO6789. I have checked on the manufacturer’s website and all the equipment of this type start with the same three letters and then obviously the last four numbers are unique to each particular device. I mean one digit out and a possible clerical error, two digits a bit incompetent, but all four numbers????????? I have pleaded not guilty and if anyone can give me any advice then thanks in advance. By the way the officer who “clocked” me and issued the ticket in the first place will not be attending court as he is unavailable!!!!!!!! Cheers, Beetleboy.

[des8]

When you were stopped did you admit to exceeding the speed limit?

[Beetleboy]

Hi, only just saw your post, no I certainly didn’t admit to anything. I also meant to add in my post that I have held my licence for 30 years and never had any points or convictions whatsoever. By the way i asked the prosecution team of the force involved for the Calibration Certificate of device “used to calculate my speed “ and they emailed me the document for the device which was tested at their HQ and not the one the officer states he pointed at my vehicle. Thanks.

[des8]

Although the police have failed to produce a valid calibration certificate for the laser device, it is still necessary for you to prove it was inaccurate.
You should have the opportunity to cross question the officer.
If you insist on this the court may adjourn the case, altho' you may be able to persuade the court this is unfair if you have to take unpaid leave to attend or some other good reason

good luck

[islandgirl]

Presumably someone agreed to the trial date knowing the officer was unavailable? Trials are fixed with the Police rota available usually...

[Beetleboy]

Thanks to you both for advice. I will post the outcome on here. Thanks.