I am a police guinea pig

for those who don't know, i was involved in an accident with a left turning lorry on blackfriars bridge in sept 08. i was extremely lucky - everyone at the scene didn't think i'd survive it.

the driver has been charged with careless driving, but due to the defence stalling time and time again, the case is only finally going to court next month. 21 months after the accident.

the police took me to the courthouse yesterday to show me round and talk me through the process and meet the witness support team (who are brilliant and totally voluntary).

anyway, the police have been great all the way through and i have to say that i can't complain at all.

my case has been upgraded from magistrates to a district judge. yesterday they told me exactly why... the city police have never had a guilty verdict for careless driving in front of magistrates. they really want a guilty verdict, so are hoping that by putting it in front of a judge (who has a much better understanding of the law) that they will get one. my case is the first they have done this with, so it's a bit of an experiment.

if he is found guilty, he'll probably get 3 points and £60 fine.....

Wow - best of luck tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

if he is found guilty, he'll probably get 3 points and £60 fine.....

OFFS! Good luck, dude... x

Good luck! hope they crucify him.

Good luck

that's a pathetic punishment... stupid car centric laws

Interesting info...

and good luck!

good luck. hope the outcome is a positive one.

Good luck!

Send him dooooooooooooowwwwwwwnnnnn!

Good luck. My daughter volunteered on witness support for some time: it is an unsung service.

I echo the sentiment that the potential sentence is a bit feeble, but perhaps if you drive professionally points on license might be more important than to the rest of us.

Wow - best of luck tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

thank you. case is not actually until 10/11 june

it's weird, just standing on the witness stand (they made me practice saying the oath and then talked through the court process) makes you feel like you have done something wrong!!!!! i think i have watched too many american court room dramas.....

Good luck jemjah!

Good luck and please update us with what eventually happens.

In my experience of judges and magistrates - as an observer rather than being in the dock - I wonder how much knowledge of the law plays a part in their judgements/verdicts.
In your case, I suspect any judge your case comes before will be a driver and if they have ever cycled it was when they were a kid and not since.
Most seem to side with the motorist concerned.
'There but for the grace of God' and all that.
But then being in touch with reality has never been a prerequisite for being a judge...

It's great the City Police are taking your case so seriously. I wonder if it's a particular magistrate who's causing all the problems?

Good luck Jemjah and thanks for sharing with us. It must be a serious nerve-racking experience.
Be happy x

Good luck with the case, Jemjah. Hope it ends in a custodial for him and compensation for you!

thats good news. congrats
although i was kinda hoping for an actual guinea pig with a siren hat or something

good luck, jemjah

Good luck. Were you being serious though about the likely punishment, or lack of?

me too crumb...

good luck jemjah.

Was it really Sep 08? I remember hearing about the accident shortly after (I work just down Blackfriars Road) and the prognosis wasn't good. I was so pleased when you posted on here to say you were still with us, but faced a long rehabilitation.

Best of luck with the case, if there is any justice the driver would get a custodial sentence equal to the amount of time it's taken you to recover from his irresponsible actions.

Remember to say "I object!" a lot.
I live this.

On a serious note, good luck JemJah.

Good luck.

You're being shown around because you didn't do anything wrong. Those being prosecuted aren't easily extended such courtesies.

oh good luck indeed Jemjah!

Best of luck Jemjah. Please give us a reminder a couple of days before, when you know for sure when and where the case will be heard. If I can make it I would like to be in court to see how this works.

Good luck in court! Let us know if it's anything like this:

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