Speeding Summons?

AdrianC

It's true that the onus is on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The question is whether Dr Shoe standing up and saying "It's not my car, because I say it's not, and look - really trivial differences that are barely visible in a low-resolution photo" would introduce reasonable doubt.

maninthestreet

So what are the chances of someone cloning the OP's car down to the detail of actually having a tow bar?

glentoran99

maninthestreet wrote: »

So what are the chances of someone cloning the OP's car down to the detail of actually having a tow bar?

The OP could have added the Towbar

AdrianC

maninthestreet wrote: »

So what are the chances of someone cloning the OP's car down to the detail of actually having a tow bar?

Depends on the car, of course. If it's something like a 4x4, it may well be the odd one out that doesn't have a bar.

Herzlos

maninthestreet wrote: »

So what are the chances of someone cloning the OP's car down to the detail of actually having a tow bar?

You can buy a towbar for under £80 new and get a mate to fit it. Lots of cars already have them anyway, and it's just a coincidence that they both do. Even if it didn't have a tow bar, it'd be easy to fit one after the fact. Admittedly, if they had years-old receipt for it and it's used for the stables, you might be able to prove you had *that exact* towbar for years.

jimjames

Herzlos wrote: »

You can buy a towbar for under £80 new and get a mate to fit it. Lots of cars already have them anyway, and it's just a coincidence that they both do. Even if it didn't have a tow bar, it'd be easy to fit one after the fact. Admittedly, if they had years-old receipt for it and it's used for the stables, you might be able to prove you had *that exact* towbar for years.

Our towbar is very distinctive so if this situation occurred then I'd be with Dr Shoe that I could demonstrate that it wasn't my car.


Maybe any photos of your car from previous years to show that any cosmetic details are not suddenly added?

Herzlos

How distinctive? Can you prove it was fitted at the time the hypothetical ANPR was triggered? I doubt I can find the receipt for mine.

But my point is that is a (pretty weak) line of defence, the argument should be made but it should also be one of many.

AdrianC

I've got a two-bolt fitting towbar in the shed. I did a swap at a meet the other year for the old towbar - a swan-neck one. I'd had that bar on at least two different cars. I unbolted one in the field, and temporarily strapped the other one up to get it home, then removed it until I got round to fitting it properly.

So three photos of the same car taken within about four days could easily have shown a swan-neck towbar, a two-bolt towbar or no towbar fitted. I've got two bootlids for that car - both blue, one stickered, one plain. It takes about ten seconds to swap the bootlid.

Happychappy

AdrianC wrote: »

I've got a two-bolt fitting towbar in the shed. I did a swap at a meet the other year for the old towbar - a swan-neck one. I'd had that bar on at least two different cars. I unbolted one in the field, and temporarily strapped the other one up to get it home, then removed it until I got round to fitting it properly.

So three photos of the same car taken within about four days could easily have shown a swan-neck towbar, a two-bolt towbar or no towbar fitted. I've got two bootlids for that car - both blue, one stickered, one plain. It takes about ten seconds to swap the bootlid.

But that doesn't explain, the crucial evidence............the GB sticker :eek:

AdrianC

Happychappy wrote: »

But that doesn't explain, the crucial evidence............the GB sticker :eek:

Oh, yeh. Good point.

Now, where's my magnetic GB sticker? Ah, right. On the fridge, holding a postcard down. Excuse me a moment.