3 penalty points!

[CMR]

Former Eastenders star Dean Gaffney escaped a driving ban today after he was caught on the M25 in roadworks doing nearly 100mph and talking on a mobile. Gaffney, 29 from Great Bookham, Surrey, was given a £115 fine, £43 costs and 3 penalty points by Guildford Magistrates' Court, but he didn't turn up to hear the verdict.

Source: London Lite, Tuesday 23 October 2007

 

[Carrotchomper]

I'm sorry. That's disgusting. Driving like that needs to result in a ban, particularly with the spotty oik not bothering to turn up in person. From experience on "other" forums the going rate for 90-100 appears to be at least 4-6 points. And on a mobile as well....

 

[BTB 500]

Yup read the same story, he was doing 98 in a 50 limit.

I thought using a mobile was endorsable now??

 

[Mudster]

Really it all depends on what side of bed the judge got out of and what county the offence takes place in.

If He'd done that in Norfolk instead of one of the Home counties, He'd have been flogged in the local town square at dusk the next day, then sent to a work house.......It's not the leniency that bothers me, it's the inconsistency.

 

[Guy]

Who's a very lucky boy then?

 

[television]

It just goes to show that judges and magistrates watch eastenders

 

[Dave Lewis]

7 years ago, I got the same fine and points for doing 48mph on a deserted 40mph dual carriageway at 5.30am. Jammy sod. He should have got a ban. In roadworks, too

 

[Rose Chap]

Maybe he was doing it at 3am? Maybe he was on the phone to the emergency services having just heard that someone was very ill back home?

Like Mudster says, its the inconsistency that gets my goat, not the speed, the fine or the points themselves.

 

[crockers]

Really it all depends on what side of bed the judge got out of and what county the offence takes place in.

quote]


More a case of whose bed..............

 

[fabes]

Probably was on the phone looking for work

That said there's no excuse these days

 

[IanA2]

It just goes to show that judges and magistrates watch eastenders

If they did they would surely have sent him to Prison...

 

[c240yaz]

Different rules dependent on your position in society.

Same privelaged rules apply to members of the royal family, gentry, MPs, footballers, etc, etc

 

[Swiss Toni]

Different rules dependent on your position in society.

Same privelaged rules apply to members of the royal family, gentry, MPs, footballers, etc, etc

From my experience, thats not actually true (but there is a public perception that it is so).
Truth is, you or I (well, you at least ) are unlikely to get your mug spread across the front of the Daily Rag if you commit a minor offence (which, on the scale of things, speeding, mobile phone etc is*).

*A Summary Offence, only dealt with at Magistrates Court, by way of fixed penalty and that can not result in a prison sentance on conviction.

 

[Silestanix]

Thats unfair, full stop.

My mums freind was caught coming back from Leicester on the phone to her son (about 2 years younger than me), because he was on the way to hospital as the sister had broken her leg at home while getting ready for school. She was caught speeding doing 37 in a 30 (At 7am) about 20 mins from their home and on the phone, given 6 points (3 for speeding, 3 for phone call), and £140 fine + costs.

 

[Swiss Toni]

The advantage of a Court is that there is the opportunity for both sides to be heard. The disadvantage of the newspaper is that there is no incentive to tell both sides...

If speeding should always result in 3 points and a fine, then install 1000 more cameras and do away with the right to go to court.

Many of the arguements against cameras are based on the fact that they don't take all of the circs into account (but opting to go to court does).

 

[Silestanix]

True say mate, true say.

Ah...the wonderful consistent laws of this land... **throws book of motoring law into the toilet and flushes it**