The defendant pleaded guilty to the rape of a twelve year old girl on the agreed basis that he had believed her to be 15, but had been advised that given her age, his belief was immaterial. He now appealed saying that the presumption infringed his human rights. Held: The question was whether the section … Continue reading Regina v G: CACD 12 Apr 2006
The claimants had each been detained without trial for more than two years, being held as suspected terrorists. They were free leave to return to their own countries, but they feared for their lives if returned. They complained that the evidence used to justify their detention was derived from practices involving torture by the US … Continue reading A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, Mahmoud Abu Rideh Jamal Ajouaou v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 11 Aug 2004
Appeal against stay of prosecution as abuse of process. Held: The appeal failed. Openshaw J said: ‘The concept of a fair trial involves fairness to the prosecution and to the public as well as to the defendant.’ Judges: Scott Baker LJ, Openshaw J Citations: [2006] EWHC 1067 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Meakin: Admn 4 May 2006
The defendant appealed against his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He complained that though the officers suspected him of having consumed alcohol, they asked him whether he had been drinking without cautioning him, and that no print out from the Intoximeter having been produced, there was no evidence on which he could be convicted. … Continue reading Sneyd v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Feb 2006
The defendant sought judicial review of the refusal by the magistrates to state a case. He was convicted for failing to identify the driver of a motor cycle of which he was a registered keeper which had been caught by a speed camera. Either of two riders might have been using it. Held: Having failed … Continue reading Flegg v Justices of the Peace for the New Forest Local Justice Area Sitting at Lyndhurst: Admn 21 Feb 2006
Citations: [2006] EWHC 314 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 22A(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 05 July 2022; Ref: scu.239150
The claimant had been severely injured in a road traffic accident. His claim was compromised and embodied in a court order, but later a question was raised as to whether he had had mental capacity at the time to make the compromise he had. Held: The term ‘patient’ in this context had a meaning specific … Continue reading Bailey v Warre: CA 7 Feb 2006
Once a court imposes a disqualification on a driver, it cannot at the same time endorse the licence with additional points. Judges: Jackson LJ, Mitting, Jay JJ Citations: [2015] EWCA Crim 166, [2015] WLR(D) 58, [2016] 4 WLR 66, [2016] 1 All ER 741, [2015] Crim LR 548, [2015] 2 Cr App R (S) 7, … Continue reading Usaceva, Regina v: CACD 6 Feb 2015
Each defendant sought disclosure of materials concerning the intoximeter instruments, having been charged with driving with excess alcohol. The defendants said that the meters were inaccurate and that the manufacturers were in effect part of the prosecution, and subject to disclosure requirements accordingly. The prosecution replied that the meter manufacturer specifications were protected as confidential. … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Wood; Director of Public Prosecutions v McGillicuddy: Admn 19 Jan 2006
The magistrates stated a case where the police officer requiring a breath speciment, had not allowed a wait of 20 minutes where the defendant had recently eaten a ‘tic-tac’, contrary to the procedure. Judges: Kennedy LJ, Crane J Citations: [2005] EWHC 1533 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 7(6), Road Traffic Offenders Act … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Coulter: Admn 29 Jun 2005
The defendant appealed his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He complained that the device used to measure his breath at the police station, the EC/IR intoximeter, was not an approved device. The court had refused to accept evidence to support such an assertion. Held: The magistrates had found that the appellant had been lawfully … Continue reading Wright v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 25 May 2005
The defendant appealed against his conviction for speeding on an appeal to the crown court. He said that he had not received the notice of intended prosecution as required within fourteen days. Held: The Act shifted the burden of proof of late delivery onto the defendant. The letter by had been sent ordinary first-class post … Continue reading Gidden v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 29 Oct 2009
An indictment had not been signed despite a clear statutory provision that it should be. The defects were claimed to have been cured by amendment before sentence. Held: The convictions failed. Sections 1(1) and 2(1) of the 1933 Act which provided for a bill of indictment (which had of itself no legal standing save as … Continue reading Clarke, Regina v; Regina v McDaid: HL 6 Feb 2008
The motorist was to be asked to take a breath test at the police station. The defendant was asked if he was on medication, and he produced a pill. The officer went ahead wit the test. At court the defendant said that he should first have sought medical advice to see whether he was fit … Continue reading Steadman v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 15 Apr 2002
The motorist had been stopped. He had not failed the roadside breathalyzer test, but the officer continued and arrested him. He was acquitted. The prosecutor appealed. Held: The use of the section 6 breathalyzer procedure did not exclude the officer relying on the powers contained in section 4 of the Act. Where the officer believed … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Robertson: QBD 4 Mar 2002
The defendant appealed his conviction for failing a breath test. He said that since the meter could be affected by mouth alcohol, the prosecutor had a duty to show that the reading arose from a breath taken deep from the lung by a deep breath. Held: Though the intoximeter made a distinction between deep lung … Continue reading Zafar v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 1 Nov 2004
Judges: Rose LJ, Pitchford J Citations: [2004] EWHC 2914 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 21 June 2022; Ref: scu.220538
Appeal by way of case stated from a decision convicting the appellant, of driving a motor car when he had consumed alcohol in excess of the prescribed limit, contrary to the provisions of section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 Road Traffic Offenders’ Act 1988. The issue was whether the car … Continue reading Lewis, Regina (on the Application Of) v the Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 10 Dec 2004
A private company car park, where there was no proof of use by the public, was not a public road, and a driver could not be convicted of dangerous driving whilst in it. There must be evidence that the public actually utilised premises before a court can conclude that they are a ‘public place’. It … Continue reading Regina v Spence: CACD 24 May 1999
Citations: [2004] EWHC 2416 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 13 June 2022; Ref: scu.219217
A driver had deliberately driven at a building owned by the respondent company causing substantial damage. The driver’s insurer now appealed against a decision that it was liable to the respondent despite a clause excluding liability for deliberate acts of a driver. Held: The appeal succeeded, and nor did a claim lie against the Motor … Continue reading EUI Ltd v Bristol Alliance Ltd Partnership: CA 11 Oct 2011
Citations: [2004] EWHC 1937 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 83 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 11 June 2022; Ref: scu.200007
Judges: Forbes J Citations: [2004] EWHC 2635 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 10 June 2022; Ref: scu.219718
The Director appealed dismissal of a charge. The defendant had accompanied a learner driver. He had too much alcohol in his blood. He denied that he was driving. Held: There was no need to prove that the defendant was statutorily supervising. The precise skills of the learner driver were not relevant. The supervisor was clearly … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Janman: Admn 22 Jan 2004
Judges: May LJ, Nelson J Citations: [2004] EWHC 83 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Paterson v Director of Public Prosecutions 1990 . . Cited – Regina v Jackson CACD 21-May-1996 Time should be saved by explicit admissions of all elements of expert case. . … Continue reading Khatibi v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 28 Jan 2004
The defendant appealed against his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He said that the machine used to measure the alcohol in his breath did not have type approval. The schedule to Approval 1998 for the purposes of section 7(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act referred to ‘the device known as the Intoximeter EC/IR manufactured … Continue reading Brown v Procurator Fiscal, Falkirk: HCJ 24 Sep 2002
The appellant challenged the fact that the details of his conviction for driving with excess alcohol had not been removed from his driving licence despite it being a spent conviction under the 1974 Act. The result was that he had been unable to find work as a driver. Held: The retention of the records was … Continue reading Regina (Pearson) v Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and Another: QBD 6 Nov 2002
Judges: Collins J Citations: [2004] EWHC 2432 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Regina v Ferguson CACD 1970 The defendant was accused of failing to give a sample of breath for testing for alcohol. The defence was that there had been no failure because the appellant … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Swan: Admn 21 Oct 2004
The defendant appealed against his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He complained that the machine used to take his sample of breath did not conform to the necessary type. It had been manufactured by an independent company. Though not approved it was identical to the approved machine. He was convicted on the basis that … Continue reading Brown v Procurator Fiscal, Falkirk: HCJ 8 Mar 2002
The claimant who was Dutch, was a widow of a fisherman who had died at sea. The question on appeal was ‘in assessing damages for loss of dependency should benefits resulting from the loss be deducted from the damages?’ The claimant’s position under Dutch law was different, with all benefits deducted from any compensation awarded. … Continue reading Roerig v Valiant Trawlers Ltd: CA 28 Jan 2002
The appellant appealed by case stated against his conviction by the Haringey Justices or an offence of driving a motor vehicle, having consumed excess alcohol contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the 1988 Act. He said that no direct evidence had been given that he had been driving. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘The question is, therefore, … Continue reading Huntley, Regina (on the Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 2 Apr 2004
When requesting a drink driver suspect to give a specimen of blood, an officer’s failure to say that the specimen will be taken by a doctor was not fatal to the prosecution. The issue of whether the blood sample was to be taken had properly been described by the officer as a decision for the … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Jackson, Stanley v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 29 Jul 1998
A driver was arrested for driving with excess alcohol. At the police station, he was to be tested with the Lion Intoximeter. The officer tested the machine and it calibrated correctly. This was at about a quarter after midnight; the sergeant’s watch said 00.13 am, but the time display on the machine read 23:00. Part … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v McKeown and Jones: HL 20 Feb 1997
The claimant sought to recover damages following a road accident. The driver’s insurance was defective. The driver claimed under section 151, but proceedings were issued without formal notice of the issue of proceedings having been given to MIB. The claim proceeded for some time before objection was made. Held: There was a clear distinction between … Continue reading Wylie on Behalf of SMP Motor Policies at Lloyds v Wake: CA 21 Dec 2000
Where a motorist told an officer at the roadside that he suffered from bronchitis, and could not provide a specimen of breath, and he wanted to rely upon the same reason at the police station, he could not claim that the officer in the station should know of his objection, but should make it clear … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Lonsdale: QBD 16 Feb 2001
The court considered the arrangement for interim payments of damages awards where the claim was to be made through the Bureau. The agreement between the Bureau and the insurer members predated and did not allow for such payments. Held: The MIB, seeking clarification, had made no interim payment. They could have made a substantial part … Continue reading Sharp By her Next Friend Sharp v Pereira and Motor Insurers’ Bureau: CA 24 Jun 1998
A was arrested. He was already on bail for possession of cannabis, and in the hope finding further evidence he was asked to empty his pockets, ‘and put the drugs on the table’ he did so and admitted selling drugs. Held: The procedure should only have followed the giving of a caution. This was precisely … Continue reading Regina v Absolam: CACD 1990
Citations: [1999] EWHC Admin 664 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5 Citing: Cited – Taylor v Rajan 2-Jan-1974 The defendant had consumed alcohol so that the alcohol level was 102 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. An appeal was heard as to whether there existed special reasons for not disqualifying him. … Continue reading Regina v St Albans Crown Court ex parte O’Donovan: Admn 9 Jul 1999
Citations: [1999] EWHC Admin 529 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 85 Citing: Cited – Taylor v Rajan 2-Jan-1974 The defendant had consumed alcohol so that the alcohol level was 102 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. An appeal was heard as to whether there existed special reasons for not disqualifying him. … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Elsender: Admn 9 Jun 1999
Application for judicial review of conviction for driving with excess alcohol. Allegation of police failure to inform him of procedure. Judges: Lord Bingham LCJ, Collins J Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 1040 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Road Traffic Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.139161
Prosecutor’s appeal against dismissal of charge of driving with excess alcohol – unexplained discrepancy in time recorded by meter. Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 561 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Road Traffic, Crime Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.138682
Prosecutor’s appeal against dismissal of charge of driving with excess alcohol. Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 517 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Citing: Cited – Regina v Absolam CACD 1990 A was arrested. He was already on bail for possession of cannabis, and in the hope finding further evidence he was asked to … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Paul O’Shea: Admn 11 May 1998
Where a passenger is injured during a bus ride, the accident occurs when he is injured, and driver has a duty to stop immediately in order to report the accident even if no other vehicle was involved. Citations: Times 07-May-1998, [1998] EWHC Admin 437 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 170 Road Traffic Updated: … Continue reading David Hallinan v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Apr 1998
A van was stopped carrying a delivery of coal. The insurance was for social domestic and pleasure purposes only. The owner appealed a conviction for using it without insurance. Held: ‘using’ when the description of the offence in connection includes alternatives of causing and permitting is to have a restricted meaning. There was not evidence … Continue reading Jones v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 26 Mar 1998
Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 211 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Road Traffic Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.138332
The claimant complained that he had been obliged to provide evidence to allow his prosecution to go ahead. He had been caught by a speed camera driving over the speed limit and been required to confirm the identity of the driver or face a heavier penalty. Judges: Lech Garlicki, President Citations: 36344/05, [2008] ECHR 369 … Continue reading Murray v The United Kingdom: ECHR 27 Mar 2008
Choice between blood and urine sample did not need explanation of doctor’s role. Citations: Times 13-Mar-1997, [1997] EWHC Admin 83 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1) 7(4) 8(2) Road Traffic Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.137028
The Time limit for commencing a prosecution doesn’t begin to run until a person authorised to prosecute is told of the circumstances. A traffic examiner, not authorised to take a decision to prosecute could not be the ‘prosecutor’ under section 6 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. Citations: Gazette 15-Jan-1997, Times 11-Dec-1996, [1996] EWHC … Continue reading Wayne Swan v Vehicle Inspectorate: Admn 11 Nov 1996
Citations: [1996] EWHC Admin 198 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Citing: Cited – Taylor v Rajan 2-Jan-1974 The defendant had consumed alcohol so that the alcohol level was 102 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. An appeal was heard as to whether there existed special reasons for not disqualifying him. … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Tucker: Admn 6 Nov 1996
The defendant appealed by way of case stated from a conviction for failing to identify the driver of a vehicle as required. The defendant argued that he had not been shown to be the registered keeper. Held: It was difficult to establish from the stated case just what evidence had been presented. The case was … Continue reading Horner v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 11 Nov 2005
The defendant was asked to give a sample of blood. He declined, saying that the sight of blood drove him into a trance in which state he was liable to be violent. The Director appealed the finding that this was a proper excuse as a health concern. Held: The district judge had failed to distinguish … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Mukandiwa: QBD 21 Oct 2005
Mrs Dimond had a car accident as a result of Mr Lovell’s negligence and sought to recover from him the cost of the hire of a replacement vehicle while her car was being repaired. Under clause 5 of the hire agreement the hire company had the conduct of any claim necessary to recover damages, and … Continue reading Dimond v Lovell: CA 29 Apr 1999
The defendant appealed by case stated against conviction under section 172 of failing to provide appropriate driver details. The notices had been received at his address, but he had been unaware of them. He was at the time working regularly in the far East for week at a time. Held: The reference to due diligence … Continue reading Whiteside v The Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 21 Dec 2011
Citations: [2020] EWHC 3403 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police, Road Traffic Updated: 22 May 2022; Ref: scu.656796
Application for permission to apply for judicial review, heard as a rolled-up hearing with considerable speed in circumstances where the disqualification of the claimant from driving after a conviction in relation to a drink drive offence meant that he wanted an interim suspension of the disqualification. The defendant claimed to have a phobia of needles, … Continue reading Cuns, Regina (on The Application of) v Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court: Admn 4 Mar 2016
Judges: Jack J Citations: [2006] EWHC 1529 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 143 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic, Insurance, Personal Injury Updated: 21 May 2022; Ref: scu.258633
The prosecutor appealed a decision of the magistrates not to convict a lorry driver. He had stopped after feeling vibration. At the service station he had taken off and replaced the wheel nuts by hand, and was awaiting service. The vehicle inspector then found him and reported him. Held: The magistrates could not have decided … Continue reading Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, Regina (on the Application of) v Henderson: Admn 15 Dec 2004
The Crown Court had concluded that the intoximeter EC/IR was not a validly approved device or if it was that it was unreasonable for the Secretary of State to have approved it since it was a device which detected mouth alcohol, i.e. was liable to give a false reading by failing to distinguish mouth alcohol … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Memery: QBD 4 Jul 2002
The claimant film artist showed a film to an advertising agency, who did not make use of it, but later appeared to use techniques and styles displayed in the film in subsequent material sold to third parties. Held: A film was protected as a dramatic work subject to copyright law, but not the artistic techniques … Continue reading Mehdi Norowzian v Arks Ltd and Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited (No 2): CA 11 Nov 1999
Citations: [2005] EWHC 2513 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.235183
The prosecutor appealed acquittal of a police officer who had been driving at 150mph. The judge had allowed for the fact that the officer believed that this was safe because of his training. Held: The appeal succeeded. The test was objective. Judges: Hallett LJ Citations: [2006] EWHC 242 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic ACt … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Milton: Admn 1 Feb 2006
A motorised scooter of the type known as a ‘Go-Ped’ was a motor vehicle within the Act. Accordingly a driving licence and third party insurance were both required for its use on a public highway. The scooter required the passenger to stand on a small platform, and was powered by a 22.5cc engine. The braking … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Saddington; Chief Constable of the North Yorkshire Police v Michael Saddington: Admn 1 Nov 2000
It was a Police Constable’s responsibility to decide whether a blood or urine specimen was to be taken. He needn’t offer the urine option: ‘it is clear that under section 8(2) the driver, in order that he may decide whether or not to claim that the breath specimen be replaced, should be fully informed of … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Warren: HL 9 Dec 1992
The use of an admission obtained under compulsion that a driver was the driver, at the time when a car was being driven so as to commit an offence, was not an infringement of the defendant’s human rights, and there was no requirement of a notice that the admission obtained might be used in evidence. … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Wilson: QBD 21 Mar 2001
The prosecutor appealed against the decision of the magistrates, having found the defendant guilty of driving with excess alcohol, then not to disqualify him, finding special reasons for so doing. He had gone in answer to a call that a child niece was being assaulted and held against her will. Held: There may be special … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Bristow: QBD 28 Oct 1996
A driver required to give his name and address satisfied the address requirement by giving an address at which he could properly be contacted. The address of his solicitor was satisfactory provided reasonably swift and easy communication was possible. Citations: Gazette 17-Mar-1999, Times 08-Jan-1999, Gazette 03-Feb-1999 Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 170(2) Road Traffic Updated: … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v McCarthy: QBD 8 Jan 1999
The victim of an unlawful act of a driver off-road sought damages from another driver and his insurers. The insurers refused to pay. Held: There is a balance to be found between the statutory purpose of compulsory motor insurance and the principal that a man should not benefit from his own wrongful act. The victim … Continue reading Churchill Insurance v Charlton: CA 2 Feb 2001
Citations: [2019] EWCA Crim 258 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 18 May 2022; Ref: scu.634204
The police had set up a series of speed traps in London Road, Croydon. Mr Little occupied himself giving warning signals to drivers approaching the traps, thus ensuring that they did not exceed the speed limit. There was no evidence that the drivers were exceeding the speed limit at the time when they received Mr … Continue reading Bastable v Little: 1907
Where land is on the face of it private land, the prosecutor accusing the defendant of driving on a public road, must establish the fact of public access, as here in relation to the forecourt of a private members club. Citations: [1972] RTR 286 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Harriot v Director … Continue reading Pugh v Knipe: 1972
Driver refusing then agreeing in 5 seconds to breath test didn’t refuse. Citations: Times 21-Jun-1995 Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 7 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 15 May 2022; Ref: scu.89355
A motorist was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and was required to provide a specimen of breath. He claimed that he had consumed alcohol only a few minutes earlier and the constable had to wait until 20 minutes had elapsed before administering a breath test. Meanwhile the appellant consumed more alcohol supplied … Continue reading Dibble v Ingleton: 1972
If a notice is in reasonable form and requires the information to be given in a particular form then that form must be used. A purpose of seeking the information in section 172 of the 1988 Act was to enable proof of certain matters, including the identity of the driver of the vehicle, to be … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Broomfield: QBD 2002
The defendant was prosecuted for having failed to provide information on a form when he had responded by telephone. Judges: Woolf LJ Citations: [1990] RTR 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Director of Public Prosecutions v Broomfield QBD 2002 If a notice is in reasonable form and requires the information to be … Continue reading Boss v Measures: QBD 1990
Justices had to be careful not to convict of driving with excess alcohol unless they were sure on the basis of scientific and other evidence that the defendant had been over the limit at the time of the alleged offence. Citations: [1987] 3 All ER 733, [1988] QB 170, [1987] Crim LR 776, (1987) 86 … Continue reading Gumbley v Cunningham: 1987
The arrested driver was given a warning under section 7(7) before two specimens of breath were obtained. The officer thought the specimens unreliable being of uneven volume. The officer then gave the appellant the chance to repeat the breath analysis procedure, but stressed that the appellant was under no obligation to do so. The appellant … Continue reading Jubb v Director of Public Prosecutions: 2002
Citations: [1996] EWHC Admin 39 Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 05 May 2022; Ref: scu.136587
When required to give a sample of breath, the motorist consented but made his consent conditional upon first having access to a law book. He was charged with refusing to provide a specimen of breath without a lawful excuse. A motorist is not entitled to add a condition to his consent, and he had no … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Noe: QBD 19 Apr 2000
Evidence that a driver had been drinking was admissible when the driver faced a charge of dangerous driving. Citations: [1962] 2 QB 167, [1961] 3 All ER 6 Cited by: Cited – Regina v Woodward (Terence) CACD 7-Dec-1994 On a prosecution for causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to section 1 of the 1988 Act, … Continue reading Regina v McBride: 1961
The applcant challenged a provision which imposed criminal liability on a director of a body which had committed a criminal offence ‘unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge and that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence’. The Commission found the application to be manifestly ill-founded. … Continue reading Attorney General v Malta: 10 Dec 1991
Citations: [1989] RTR 54 Statutes: Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 15 Cited by: Cited – Director of Public Prosecutions, Regina (on the Application Of) v Chambers Admn 25-Jul-2003 The prosecutor appealed dismissal of charges of driving with excess alcohol. The defendant had admited driving, but said she had consumed alcohol in the twenty minutes between … Continue reading Beauchamp Thomson v Director of Public Prosecutions: 1989
The magistrates had upheld a submission of no case to answer. When the prosecutor’s appeal was allowed, the case was remitted back to the Magistrates with a direction for the hearing to continue and precisely because the conclusion was that the defence had not at that stage given any evidence during the course of the … Continue reading Patterson v Charlton: 1986
‘obvious to a careful and competent driver’ refers to a dangerous state which would be ‘seen or realised at first glance’ Citations: [1995] Crim LR 428 Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 2A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Regina v Roberts and George CACD 31-Jul-1996 The defendants, a lorry driver and his employer, … Continue reading Regina v Strong: 1995
Where a defendant to a charge of driving with excess alcohol, sought to test the accuracy of the Intoximeter, the Magistrates should consider whether the evidence was as to the particular Intoximeter used, and was of sufficient quality to displace the presumption in law that the Intoximeter system in general works. The evidence in such … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Andrew Earle Anthony Brown, Jose Teixeira: QBD 16 Nov 2001
The defendant had ridden a motor-cycle and hit a pedestrian. The court asked whether he had been reckless. Held: The House understood recklessness as ‘a state of mind stopping short of deliberate intention, and going beyond mere inadvertence’ and ‘It is for the jury to decide whether the risk created by the manner in which … Continue reading Regina v Lawrence (Stephen): HL 1981
Prosecutions brought against motorists in unconnected circumstances for driving a motor vehicle on a road or other public place after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion if it in their respective breath exceeded the prescribed limit, contrary to s. 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The same defence solicitors have appeared and, in … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court: Admn 7 Jul 2017
Judges: Lord Justice Elias Mr Justice Hickinbottom Citations: [2014] EWHC 4089 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 170(4) 171 1(b)(i) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 23 April 2022; Ref: scu.542536
An insurer’s failure to obtain a release certificate left him liable for damages Citations: Times 28-Sep-1995 Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 151 Insurance Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.83494
Doctors certificate re blood sample admissible when service requirements waived by defendant; no signature on certificate. Citations: Times 21-Jul-1997 Statutes: Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 16 Transport Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.83218
Two periods of disqualification can be double DQ for purposes of the section. Citations: Times 01-Mar-1994 Statutes: Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 34 Road Traffic Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.82975
A mistaken belief in the mind of the Police Constable that the Intoximeter was inaccurate, does not prevent the admission of the reading. Citations: Ind Summary 11-Dec-1995, Times 14-Nov-1995 Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 7(3) Road Traffic Updated: 08 April 2022; Ref: scu.81135
Defendant convicted for driving wth excess alcohol – Appeal against finding that no special reasons for reducing penalty – belch during breath test artificially raising reading. Citations: [2007] EWHC 36 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Offenders Act 34(1), Road Traffic Act 1988 5(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 06 April 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Ng v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 26 Jan 2007
Police had seized the claimant’s car on the basis that it was not insured. The claimant now appealed against rejection of her claim for damages, saying that it had in fact been insured. Judges: MacFarlane, Davis LJJ Citations: [2016] EWCA Civ 1360 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police, Road … Continue reading Gray v The Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: CA 1 Dec 2016
The court was asked whether, at least in the particular circumstances of the case, self-induced intoxication could properly amount to a ‘reasonable excuse’ for failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis, for the purposes of an alleged offence under section 7(6) of the 1988 Act. Held: In these particular xircumstances, no. Judges: Lindblom … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Camp: Admn 15 Dec 2017
Failure to name driver Judges: Sir Ross Cranston Citations: [2017] EWHC 2546 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 172 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Road Traffic Updated: 01 April 2022; Ref: scu.599394
The defendant challenged the obligatory requirement that evidence given by a person under 17 in sex or violent offence cases must normally be given by video link. Held: The purpose of the section was to improve the quality of the evidence presented to a court. There was no absolute right for a defendant to be … Continue reading D (A Minor), Regina (on the Application of) v Camberwell Green Youth Court: HL 27 Jan 2005
Appeal by way of case stated from a convicting the Appellant of three road traffic offences, including failure to provide a specimen of breath for analysis contrary to section 7(6) of the 1988 Act. The ground of appeal is that the justices wrongly acceded to the prosecution application to allow a police officer to refresh … Continue reading Cummings v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 15 Dec 2016
Appeal by way of Case Stated against the a conviction of an offence of tampering with a motor vehicle contrary to section 25 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Judges: Thirlwall LJ, Haddon-Cave J Citations: [2017] EWHC 1162 (Admin), [2017] 4 WLR 102, [2017] WLR(D) 361 Links: Bailii, WLRD Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: … Continue reading JS (A Child) v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 18 May 2017
The appeal is brought by the appellant against the decision of the Justices that the respondent was not guilty of the offence of using a motor vehicle on a road without there being in force a valid policy of insurance, contrary to section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Judges: McCombe LJ, Kerr J … Continue reading Oldham Borough Council v Sajjad: Admn 19 Dec 2016
Appeal from conviction for failing to provide specimen of breath for testing at the Police station. Citations: [2006] EWHC 2634 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 6 7 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 23 March 2022; Ref: scu.245971
