Distress warrant.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Distress warrant.

Hi my son doesn't work, got laid off before xmas. He doesn't claim benefits either. To be honest I don't know why they just don't arrest him. I know that sounds harsh however, he has had the money the fine is only £55 but for whatever reason he hasn't.

For what was he fined so little?

[kimkyboots1]

Re: Distress warrant.

Passenger in a stolen vehicle. Strange but true his mate came round my house and picked him up in it.

Kimkyboots1

[CleverClogs]

Re: Distress warrant.

What was he supposed to do - say, "Steady on, old bean! This is a stolen motor-car! Drive yourself to the police at once and turn yourself in!" ?

[wales01man]

Re: Distress warrant.

He should have thought to ask where you get the motor?

[bluebottle]

Re: Distress warrant.

Unfortunately, Section 12, Theft Act 1968 does contain a provision that creates an offence of allowing oneself to be carried in a motor vehicle taken without the owner's consent.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Distress warrant.

Unfortunately, Section 12, Theft Act 1968 does contain a provision that creates an offence of allowing oneself to be carried in a motor vehicle taken without the owner's consent.

Which is plainly daft.

What is one supposed to do, if a person offers one a lift - ask to see their V5, to ensure they are the registered keeper of the vehicle?

Should one do that every time that one travels by public omnibus, lest the vehicle and driver's uniform have been stolen?

[bluebottle]

Re: Distress warrant.

Which is plainly daft.

What is one supposed to do, if a person offers one a lift - ask to see their V5, to ensure they are the registered keeper of the vehicle?

Should one do that every time that one travels by public omnibus, lest the vehicle and driver's uniform have been stolen?

I have to agree with you, Cloggy. Some JPs find alleged miscreants guilty regardless. One stipendiary magistrates at a Central London magistrates court was a stickler for evidence and I saw a case involving the exact offence you mention get dismissed because the officer could not prove the alleged miscreant had known the vehicle had been TWOC'd. The usher, who was also a police officer, said to the police officer who had had their case dismissed, "You f*****g twat!" to which the stipendiary magistrate, who had heard the remark, responded, "Whilst I may agree with you, constable, I would rather you did not put it so bluntly in my court."

[Sir Vere Brayne d'Emmidge]

Re: Distress warrant.

I have to agree with you, Cloggy. Some JPs find alleged miscreants guilty regardless. One stipendiary magistrates at a Central London magistrates court was a stickler for evidence and I saw a case involving the exact offence you mention get dismissed because the officer could not prove the alleged miscreant had known the vehicle had been TWOC'd. The usher, who was also a police officer, said to the police officer who had had their case dismissed, "You f*****g twat!" to which the stipendiary magistrate, who had heard the remark, responded, "Whilst I may agree with you, constable, I would rather you did not put it so bluntly in my court."

Love that one!

[Sir Vere Brayne d'Emmidge]

Re: Distress warrant.

Unfortunately, Section 12, Theft Act 1968 does contain a provision that creates an offence of allowing oneself to be carried in a motor vehicle taken without the owner's consent.

But boots on the ground do have (should have) enough savvy to determine if the passenger was proxy to the crime, just a couple of well placed questions in a seemingly innocent conversation with the fares should give the game away.

[bluebottle]

Re: Distress warrant.

Love that one!

The stipendiary magistrate in question was the chief magistrate for that particular court. He was known for being strict, but fair, and having a dry sense of humour.

One case that is legendary is that involving a Black Rat who had arrested a youth for using the f-word in a public place. This was in the days before the Public Order Act 1986. The three JPs at the Charge Court ruled that the f-word was in such frequent use, it had lost its ability to cause offence and dismissed the case. That afternoon, the same Black Rat had a case in the Traffic Court at the same Magistrates Court and found himself before the same JPs from that morning's Charge Court. The case involved a motorist with a defective silencer. One of the JPs asked the Black Rat," Officer. How big was the hole in the silencer?" to which the Black Rat replied dryly, "It was a f*****g great hole, Your Worship."

[bluebottle]

Re: Distress warrant.

But boots on the ground do have (should have) enough savvy to determine if the passenger was proxy to the crime, just a couple of well placed questions in a seemingly innocent conversation with the fares should give the game away.

When you and I were in the job, Sir Vere, that would have been the case. Unfortunately, these days, target-driven policing seems to have made using one's commonsense and experience redundant. I know of a retired Custody Sergeant who had a number of cases come through his particular Custody Suite where PACE had not been complied with and the arrests were unlawful per se.

[Sir Vere Brayne d'Emmidge]

Re: Distress warrant.

When you and I were in the job, Sir Vere, that would have been the case. Unfortunately, these days, target-driven policing seems to have made using one's commonsense and experience redundant. I know of a retired Custody Sergeant who had a number of cases come through his particular Custody Suite where PACE had not been complied with and the arrests were unlawful per se.

I still don't see what's wrong in saying to an alledged offender something in the region of:- You think you have the right to remain silent, but by golly, I will make sure that after I am finished with you, you are ready to win the next round of the "Voice"

[bluebottle]

Re: Distress warrant.

I still don't see what's wrong in saying to an alledged offender something in the region of:- You think you have the right to remain silent, but by golly, I will make sure that after I am finished with you, you are ready to win the next round of the "Voice"

I like it!