[REME10]

In October last year i was randomly stopped by the police in my V Corsa, the car was searched and nothing was found, but i was told that the depth of the tyre tread was too low. I was given a slip and told to change my tyre within 2 weeks or get fined.

I was already struggling to pay for the car having left the army a few months previously and going back to being a full time student, i decided that it was time to get rid of the car. I couldnt afford to change the tyre, so went to the police station and explained that i was not using the car anymore and it was being sold. The PO told me that he couldnt deal with it in the local office and to send a letter to VOSA to explain. I sent the letter, waited for a few months and by christmas had'nt heard anything so took it for granted that my explanation was accepted.

I've not been living at my home address due to studying a course in a college away from home. I have come back and found 2 letters on the issue. The first one dated 15th April saying that i was in court for the offence at the end of April, and then the 2nd dated 5th May saying that in my absence i had been given a £575 fine!!

Im trying to find out where i stand with it. OK granted i need to take some of the blame for not picking up my mail but to be fair i also think it should be taken in to account the fact that i went to the police office to try and sort it, i sent a letter as i was told, never received a reply and then 6 months later they decide to hit me with a fine regardless

Any ideas??

Thanks

[Tycho]

Go to a lawyer which specialises in civil matters. They'll give you a free initial consultation. Take all the evidence you have.

[Tycho]

Meant to say that it looks like a misunderstanding.

Didn't you contact the DVLA to declare the car as off-the-road? Did you cancel your car insurance? I presume you wouldn't have renewed your tax disc or gotten an MOT? The problem you'll have is that if you've not done these things then you've clearly indicated that you're still using the car, but haven't followed through with the police order to get the tyres changed (or atleast notify them of this).

The other concerning part for you is that there was a court case which you didn't attend. This seems very strange though, as usually a letter sent to you requiring you to attend court (a summons) would be delivered by special delivery. Did anything like that arrive?

Anyway, definately go and see a lawyer.