Speeding soldier let off by judge.

Originally Posted by Masque

Regardless of job his licence should have been revoked as we cannot have double standards, it is to late here but may set a precedent of military drivers using their job as an excuse not to lose their licences.

If it was you or me our licence would be gone regardless of job and the same should have applied here.

The court heard the 20-year-old is about to embark on a tour of Afghanistan in mid June, where he will be carrying out repair work to British vehicles damaged by roadside bombs.

I'm not excusing what he did but he's not being let off just because he's a soldier but because he can help to save our lad's lives in Afghanistan. I think that the judge was in a very difficult position myself.Personally, if him doing his job means more of our soldiers are protected and survive and the fact that no one was killed during his stupid escapade I think you should cut the judge some slack.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Tuftus

But he did not get away with it did he. He was fined and had points added to his licence.

It may not have been the punishment you are looking for however he was tried in a court of law, found guilty and punished.

Perhaps, but I would have at least expected the same punishment as everybody else gets for such an offence.

---------- Post added at 16:36 ---------- Previous post was at 16:34 ----------

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Unacceptable that he didn't lose his license.

Losing his license does not necessarily prejudice him doing his job, he can still drive on MoD property. Either way 143mph in a 50mph zone is totally unacceptable and dangerous, at that level of speed he's lucky to not be facing a dangerous driving / due care and attention charge

I do believe that is what he was charged with, but bargained down to a mere speeding charge.

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Perhaps, but I would have at least expected the same punishment as everybody else gets for such an offence.

I have already clarified the point I was making in post 20

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Years ago I got a 14 day ban and £280 fine for doing 81 in a 50 (Road used to be a 70) dual carriage way. IIRC 30+ over the limit is an automatic ban?

So doing 100 on the Motorway would do ya? People speed all the time of the motorway I would be surprised if they got automatic bans. Actually that might make sense. Is there some leeway on the motorway though because honestly people do not keep to 70 unless you want to be in the left-most lane..

my ex brother inlaw was laying tarmac 4yrs ago and is now in a wheel chair with brain damage thanks to a speeding motorist going through roadworks in ireland .If this idiot thinks he should get preferential treatment just because he is in the army then he shouldn't be in the army and if the judge thinks the same then he shouldn't be a judge .He should most definately have lost his licence as per the guidlines ,he could have still done his job

Originally Posted by Damien

So doing 100 on the Motorway would do ya? People speed all the time of the motorway I would be surprised if they got automatic bans. Actually that might make sense. Is there some leeway on the motorway though because honestly people do not keep to 70 unless you want to be in the left-most lane..

ORLY?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/n...re/8651727.stm

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Unacceptable that he didn't lose his license.

Losing his license does not necessarily prejudice him doing his job, he can still drive on MoD property. Either way 143mph in a 50mph zone is totally unacceptable and dangerous, at that level of speed he's lucky to not be facing a dangerous driving / due care and attention charge

---------- Post added at 11:57 ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 ----------



Though not to standard sentencing guidelines - he was let off lightly when he should have been banned. 145% of speed limit is sufficient for a ban, he was doing 286%.



http://www.drivingban.co.uk/drivingb...bmit=Calculate

As a laugh I tried a provision license driving at 80 at 70 motorway, and it didn't comment on the fact the license was wrong.

I then tried full/clean license, motorway and 253mph (Bugatti Veyron) and it said

*** The speed alleged is in excess of the fastest production car available in the UK. You may wish to challenge the speed alleged by pleading not guilty! ***

[Spectato]

There should be no exceptions. It doesn’t matter if he’s a soldier, if you break the law, you should suffer the consequences. This sets a very bad example.

Nuff said.


How many 20 year olds could even afford insurance on a Focus ST, let alone the car itself?

.... twice the speed limit on the M40 in his Ford Focus ST

Wonder how wealthy and 'well connected' mater and pater are?

If he's a private soldier, single and living on base, his basic wage will be circa £16k a year. Take out tax, NI, and the deductions for living in barracks and food.... Take home approx £10 or £11k.... /shrug.

So, no need for a rich mommy and daddy to buy him a sporty car....

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by Damien

So doing 100 on the Motorway would do ya? People speed all the time of the motorway I would be surprised if they got automatic bans. Actually that might make sense. Is there some leeway on the motorway though because honestly people do not keep to 70 unless you want to be in the left-most lane..

I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty certain that exceeding 100mph on a motorway constitutes an automatic three month ban.
Maybe Derek could clarify?

[Derek]

Originally Posted by frogstamper

I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty certain that exceeding 100mph on a motorway constitutes an automatic three month ban.
Maybe Derek could clarify?

AFAIK the only driving offence with an automatic ban is dangerous driving which is what most hugely excessive speeding cases are dealt with by.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by frogstamper

I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty certain that exceeding 100mph on a motorway constitutes an automatic three month ban.
Maybe Derek could clarify?

I don't think a ban is automatic at those speeds, but I do believe it removes the option for a police officer to offer a fixed penalty notice and to have the case dealt with by the court.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

I don't think a ban is automatic at those speeds, but I do believe it removes the option for a police officer to offer a fixed penalty notice and to have the case dealt with by the court.

Correct, as I am aware if it is 25miles over the speed limit it is an automatic summons.

It is up to the Magisrates.

A couple of years ago I was caught doing 86 in a 50, and got 6pts and £200 fine.

Surprising. I am sure some people most do speeds of above 80/85+ on a motorway as 75+ often is the middle lane.