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Runningman
02-04-2005, 12:04 AM
Only it wasn't me, honest!

Thames Valleys finest reckon one of their mobiles took a nice picture of me & the duke doing 84 along the A5 at Wolverton, at about exactly the time I was cleaning the old girl in Harpenden.

In case their are any officers logging on, I have never had the pleasure of that particular stretch of road...ever!

Has this happened to any of you? I've filled in the form ticking all the "Not me mate" boxes, and wait to see what happens.

The Harpenden 1

slob
02-04-2005, 09:59 AM
I've no personal experience of this but...
The onus must be on them to prove it was you/your vehicle.
If the 'Revenuue Rangers' have significant difficulty in persuing a case, they're more likely to drop it than carry on (in the densely populated South-East) as it will quicky become spending rather than income.
If it does go any further, demand a copy of the photos, you may find its a CBR600 or Ford Escort wearing your reg. in which case it should be much easier to prove it clearly wasn't you, or at least you can show it's someone on a 600 with the wrong colour lid etc.etc.
Expect to get pulled more often in the future if the old bill are aware there's a clone of your registration running around out there.

spacemonkey
02-04-2005, 11:33 AM
Could be worth informing the plod and maybe they might keep a lookout for it and pull it. Chances are you might get a tug yourself, but as long as you carry your papers you should be fine. Would go well in your favour if they did catch it....

A Yerbury
02-04-2005, 12:30 PM
they should send you two nice pictures of a motorcycle on a good road, good weather, good visibility with no other traffic whatsoever......

CraigMac
02-04-2005, 12:54 PM
Cloning is a big problem at the moment for cars as well as bikes.
The DVLA in there wisdom, brought out the reg plate regulations that state that when you purchase a new plate for your vehicle, you have to show the V5 and further documentation ie. passport, driving licence, utility bill to show that you are, who you say you are. The supplying plate dealer has to record all of this information.
We all know that there are companys out there who supply plates that are for "Show" only.
The theft of physical number plates has also risen.
So its quite easy for the bad lads to get hold of a plate and then attach it to a vehicle.
Not all crims are thick and will therefore clone a vehicle that matches the plate, even down to correct model and colour.
The defense of "It wasn't me" just wont stand up on its own.
Under the rules of disclosure, you are entitled to a copy of the photographic evidence. You must write in and obtain this ASAP.
The time and date will be recorded along with photograph and its up to you to prove that it wasn't you.
Now, if the person riding the bike looks a bit like you, then you've got it to do!!
If they dont look like you, it makes the process a bit easier, but you will still have to account for your movements at the time of the alledged offence.
It might be an idea to try and remember if you filled up with fuel or purchased something with your credit card close to the time of the incident.
Failing this, were you with another person around the time in question? If so then you are going to have to get a statement from them, stating this fact.
Dont work on the premis that once you have submitted this information that your problem has gone away. The bobbies are going to check on the information that you have submitted.
Another important thing to remember is that the punishment for perjury is far greater than 3 points and a £60.00 fine!!! Bringing a third party into the frame could also be construed as conspiracy to commit perjury....not good!!
But if you get your facts straight, then you should be home and dry.
Make sure that you report, the cloning of your bike to the police and you should also write to the DVLA with this information.
I hope this information helps and good luck.
Regards
Craig.

slob
02-04-2005, 03:30 PM
It might be an idea to try and remember if you filled up with fuel or purchased something with your credit card close to the time of the incident.

Good point Craig. If you've got a mobile phone, Martin and it was switched on at the time, your service provider can place it to within a few hundred metres.

CraigMac
02-04-2005, 04:45 PM
Rob,
The only problem with mobile phone evidence is that it only proves where the phone was....not the owner of the phone....I know it sounds a bit James Bond.....But any half decent crown prosecutor would shoot that one down..
Good try though.
Regards
Craig.

slob
02-04-2005, 05:17 PM
yeah, fair enough but we're talking about our pal being falsley accused of a relatively minor speeding offence not the great train robbery.

CraigMac
02-04-2005, 05:37 PM
We only have Martins word on that.....Martin, do you know a Mr Biggs and Mr Edwards.....and what were you doing in the mid 60s....

Runningman
02-04-2005, 11:48 PM
Thanks to craigmac, slob and Alex for the replies.
Been out all day at The Bikesafe thingy where I spoke with the guy responsible for processing Gatso pics in Herts.

His advice was to write a seperate letter explaining why I think it wasn't me, provide another rear view shot of the bike, write to the DVLA, and collect some statements from people who know I wasn't there. (Thats Mrs Runningman and Lucy, our cat)

He said thet get hundreds of letters from blatantly obvious felons, protesting their innocence, so I may still end up in court.

What fun!

Ps Don't know any train robbers personally, but did go to the premier of Buster (I Know, I know, but it was for charideee)