Another tale... more déjà-vu by Raistlin


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Raistlin
Why are some people so stupid... or are they arrogant.

A chap in his mid twenties pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol this morning. He was to be disqualified for 3 years as he had a previous conviction for the same offence within the last ten years.

Reviewing his previous convictions prior to sentencing we noticed two previous offences of driving while disqualified as well.

In sentencing, I gave him the usual warning about driving while disqualified being a very serious offence for which a sentencing Bench would be considering a custodial sentence.

His blood / alcohol level was sufficiently high that he received a four month sentence suspended for 12 months.

I asked if he'd driven to Court, to which I received a negative answer so I reminded him, based upon his previous, what might happen. This was quite early in this morning's proceedings, approximately 10:20.

At 3:45. our legal advisor looked up at the Bench and said "in addition to your lists your worships, I have a case in the cells which needs dealing with."

You'll never guess who appeared in the dock, escorted by two dock officers ;)

Apparently the chap had walked out of the Court, across the road to the Civic Centre car park, a distance of some 50 metres, got in his car, and drove out of the car park, only to have his way blocked by a Police car. He was arrested, taken to Bilston Street Police station, and charged with driving while disqualified, being brought to the Court at 12:30.

His solicitor entered a plea of guilty for him and began a very desultory mitigation, well it would be wouldn't it :lol:

He said "My client is concerned that he might receive a custodial sentence today and instructs me that he has learned his lesson and hopes the Bench will be lenient."

A this point bravado got the better of the defendant and he made a comment from the dock, mostly indistinct, but suggesting that the Bench was too "pussy" to send him down.

His solicitor sat down, folded his arms and looked skyward for inspiration.

Having previously seen the defendant's record, we knew that he was familiar with the Judicial system. A fact I took advantage of in addressing addressing him.

I said, ""You told us that you hadn't driven to Court today" which received the reply "So what?" After a second or two I said, "Mr. XXX, do you know what perjury is?

He clearly did because the blood drained from his face as he contemplated the possibility of a Five to Seven year sentence being handed down at Crown Court.

His solicitor raised an eye-brow at my question because, of course the defendant hadn't committed perjury, his comment not having been made when bound by oath.

I said nothing further on that subject but proceeded to sentence the defendant to four months in prison without waiting for the formality of a pre-sentence report. We also activated the previous suspended sentence to run consecutively. It had taken him roughly 15 minutes to breach it.

We further placed a deprivation order on his car, a 2009 Ford Focus ST. It will either be sold with any profits going to the exchequer or it will be crushed.

Apparently, when the Police stopped him he was somewhat shocked and surprised, until it was explained to him that the Police regularly set up an operation with one officer in the Court, another in the Civic Centre car park and a marked patrol car parked just out of sight of the Court building.

That this had surprised the defendant leads me to believe that he was either staggeringly arrogant or terminally stupid.

As some of you may recall, that wasn't the first time I'd dealt with a similar situation.
Paul

Cogito ergo sum... maybe?

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Posted 07 Sep 2012, 18:50 #1 

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humphshumphs
Some people. You couldn't make it up!
Richard

Posted 07 Sep 2012, 19:10 #2 

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Dave
Don't crush the car.....!

Despite this bloke being a total Muppet, this would be a terrible waste!

Posted 07 Sep 2012, 21:58 #3 


carlpenn
Dave wrote:Don't crush the car.....!

Despite this bloke being a total Muppet, this would be a terrible waste!



Its a Ford Focus, Mankind wont miss it..........:p

Is 4 Months the Max you could give Paul? 12 Minimum sounds better. Driving while Disqualified is nothing short of showing a middle finger to the law and society!
Upgrades:

Fitted Electric Memory Seat, Leather Cubby Lid, Wood Dash, Message Centre.

Posted 07 Sep 2012, 22:50 #4 

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takestock
Best stories on the internet these :)
Photobucket = Tossers

Dave....

Posted 08 Sep 2012, 07:40 #5 

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Dave
carlpenn wrote:Its a Ford Focus, Mankind wont miss it..........:


I know what you are saying but it's still a working, newish car, so surely much better to sell it on and use the funds for something worthy!

Posted 08 Sep 2012, 07:42 #6 

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Raistlin
carlpenn wrote:Is 4 Months the Max you could give Paul? 12 Minimum sounds better. Driving while Disqualified is nothing short of showing a middle finger to the law and society!


Six months is the maximum Carl, but an immediate guilty plea invokes the statutory requirement that we give a 33% reduction.
Paul

Cogito ergo sum... maybe?

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Posted 08 Sep 2012, 08:35 #7 

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Raistlin
Dave wrote:I know what you are saying but it's still a working, newish car, so surely much better to sell it on and use the funds for something worthy!


It will almost certainly go to the local car auctions Dave. The option of crushing is generally reserved for those vehicles where sale would be impossible, for example where the car is in a dangerous condition, or where the value is so low that it isn't work the time and trouble.
Paul

Cogito ergo sum... maybe?

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Posted 08 Sep 2012, 08:37 #8 

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Chartermark
Perhaps his entire asset base should be seized, or these chavs made to work in prison to pay off the true social costs etc. Four months, less remission - ha ha, he won't have any future higher regard for society (for want of a better word), than he does now.

I'd have very different things in mind for these useless eaters, but the risk of drawing the liberals, with their 'community sewing circle service plans' etc, isn't worth the detail

Posted 08 Sep 2012, 16:16 #9 

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Zeb
I suspect losing his car, his job (assuming he has one) and his liberty - a brief spell perhaps but in all probability costing him his home nonetheless (hard to pay your rent when in the nick!) Might, just might prove an appropriate sanction for his myopic disregard for the law and everybody else....

Posted 08 Sep 2012, 16:40 #10 

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Raistlin
Zeb wrote:Might, just might prove an appropriate sanction for his myopic disregard for the law and everybody else....


Just a born optimist aren't you mate? ;)
Paul

Cogito ergo sum... maybe?

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Posted 08 Sep 2012, 17:00 #11 

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Bermudan 75
Zeb wrote:I suspect losing his car, his job (assuming he has one) and his liberty - a brief spell perhaps but in all probability costing him his home nonetheless (hard to pay your rent when in the nick!) Might, just might prove an appropriate sanction for his myopic disregard for the law and everybody else....


Nope ! A colleague of mine with a history of drink driving offences was sentenced to a prison term a couple of years ago. Between being arrested & charged and his court appearance he was arrested again for drink driving, for what would be his fifth offence. After serving his prison term he showed no remorse whatsoever for his actions.

He has lost is career, marriage and house during the period of his offences. True he has an illness that is called alcoholism, but no one forced him to get into a car and drive whilst over the limit.
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Posted 10 Sep 2012, 15:13 #12 

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MGBev
sometimes a leopard can't change his spots. Total wasters

Posted 13 Sep 2012, 15:58 #13 

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Gate Keeper
10/10 Good result ma lord!

Posted 18 Sep 2012, 18:36 #14 


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