S172 advice please

spartanheed

I received a letter in the post at the end of March to say I'd been caught speeding in my car in England (38mph in a 30mph zone). I returned the letter the same day notifying them I was the driver. I've got a clean licence so was hoping to be offered a speed awareness course. I didn't send it recorded delivery stupidly.

After a few weeks I hadn't heard anything. I googled how long it should take for a fine to come through and read that the police have up to 6 months. I didn't really think much more of it. Fast forward to yesterday, and a letter arrived in the post. I assumed it was the fine (finally) but it's actually a letter advising me I'm being prosecuted for the speeding offence AND failing to notify the police who the driver of the vehicle was.

The police claim they didn't receive my letter saying I was the driver, and that they sent me a reminder a month later (which I definitely didn't receive). I know that sounds completely implausible, but it's 100% the truth!

I'm now panicking that I've gone from possibly being able to do a speed awareness course and keep a clean licence, to getting anywhere up to 9 points on my licence, a big fine and a criminal record.

I've replied to the latest letter to enter a guilty plea for the speeding offence and a not guilty plea for the s172 offence. I've no idea what to do next? I don't know whether I need a solicitor? I've got no defence outside of, "why would a professional man (I work in a senior NHS post) with a clean licence risk getting a criminal record by ignoring 2 x letters detailing exactly what would happen to me if I didn't respond"?

Help please!🙏🏼

Brie

Is there any sort of legal advice available via your employer? Or your union, assuming you are in one? Or legal cover through you motor or home insurance?

Most solicitors have a free first 30 minutes or similar so you can ask some questions at least about the situation.

Gr1pr

I suggest that you post your query over on the FTLA parking forum website after reading their posting requirements first

Keep_pedalling

You won’t get 9 points as you are being prosecuted for failing to notify which carries a 6 point penalty. They have no proof you were the driver so the speeding charge will not brought against you.

There is a process where at court you can offer to plead guilty for speeding provided they drop the failing to notify charge. Not only will this get you just 3 points you will avoid the large increase in insurance cost that comes with a failing to notify conviction.

As above, post over on the FTLA forum where you will be given advice on how to proceed with this. Dont post until you have read the “read me first” sticker thread otherwise they tend to get a bit shirty.

https://www.ftla.uk/speeding-and-other-criminal-offences/

spartanheed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82142990#Comment_82142990

done thank you