Falsely accused of fly tipping

dallam20

Sorry if this is not the right place not sure where else to put it?? I came home tonight to a letter asking me to attend a interview under caution regarding fly tipping 10 months ago. I am totally perplexed but also worried sick hence writing this at silly o’clock. We have always taken our rubbish to the dump, had it collected by the council or had charities collect old furniture. Not had any skips or workmen around that time. It says on or before a date but We were on holiday abroad until 8pm the day before so although in the UK only just.
They have not given any details about what I’m supposed to have fly tipped. Surely they should provide me with some more detail than that including why they think it’s me ?? How can I prove my innocence when I don’t even know what I’m supposed to have disposed of ??
Should I take a solicitor with me to this interview??
Thanks in advance for any advice

[Deleted User]

If an interview under caution yes take a solicitor. They should give you any evidence in the meeting.

Uxb

Or if you are genuinely convinced it was not you then tell them to fack off you ain't going and see you in court.

Davesnave

If you think you might say something you'd later regret, take a solicitor.


However, this is a money saving site, so if I were in your position, I'd just take a phone/ recorder to make sure I had an accurate transcript of whatever was said.

I'd go with the attitude that they will present whatever evidence they have and I'd take that away and think about it. I wouldn't consider it my duty to respond immediately, or to be helpful in the hope they'll be nice. Obviously, if there was a simple explanation that didn't somehow implicate me, then I'd save everyone some time, but how likely is that?

I give this advice because I was once involved in a road accident where I made immediate assumptions and statements that were perfectly reasonable, but wrong. It wasn't until later that I worked out what really happened, but I couldn't 'rewind' the interview.

They will have evidence that links to you or your address. In itself, this is not proof of any criminal act on your part, but you may not be in a position to "prove your innocence," as you put it, especially on the spur of the moment. You may never be in that position, so don't think that you must.

Depending on how things go, you might need a solicitor for any subsequent meeting, whether with the council or the police. Be polite and don't take the confrontational attitude of the poster above. You want this sorted, but not necessarily there and then.

kazwookie

WHO has asked you to attend an interview? are you sure the letter is 100% genuine?

If it is and you do attend, then take evidence that you were on holiday, but only show it once the dates / times etc have been established.

I would also ask for photographic proof.

Comms69

It’s voluntary.

Personally I’d refuse. Interviews UC are used to build a case. They already think it’s you; why help them...

m0bov

Just refuse, they are fishing around.

jimbog

Say you will be happy to attend but there will be a £50 call out charge and it will then be at a rate of £45 per hour or part thereof

Norman_Castle

dallam20 wrote: »

They have not given any details about what I’m supposed to have fly tipped. Surely they should provide me with some more detail than that including why they think it’s me ?? How can I prove my innocence when I don’t even know what I’m supposed to have disposed of ??

Ask for more details. Its not fair that you should be expected to attend an interview at their convenience for something you may easily disprove.

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally - I'd take my evidence with me that I had been on holiday at the time and ask what evidence they had. Hopefully there would be an obvious mismatch evident at that point - ie their "evidence" wasnt conclusive proof and/or was clearly dumped at a time when you were out of the country sunning yourself.

I would certainly take someone "suitable-looking" with me (as a witness/as a fellow "respectable looking/sounding" person besides myself). I wouldnt see why I should pay a solicitor just to tell them it wasnt me. So I'd "hold my horses" personally on that - unless & until it proved necessary.

Generally - I'd say as little as possible, other than "Here's my evidence I was out of the country at the time" and I'd be saying that AFTER they had produced any evidence they had.

SmashedAvacado

I wouldn't go. You are not incriminating yourself by not going.

I might write back and ask them to provide details of the alleged offence before deciding to do anything further.