Things that make you go What the F**k?

[imtommygunn]

Yeah I think Starmer blew a lid on that yesterday.

[johnnycool]

Yeah I think Starmer blew a lid on that yesterday.

The tories are stripping every bit of money out of the UK tax payer just like someone who knows their business is about to go bust and fúck everyone else.

Starmer has an open goal at his mercy, but it's looking like Sunak won't be on the opposite side of the election, he'll be gone before then.

A skip fire of a party

[AustinPowers]

Speeding fines

* 35mph in a while 30mph zone (I wasn't, 110%, I was at 30mph well before entering the 30mph zone.

* 1st letter arrives, NO right of appeal, asking me to confirm it was me

* 2nd letter asking me confirm I'll pay fine / take speed awareness

* 3rd letter then to confirm amount (£60 + a wee £5 Offender Levy, whatever that is)

* payment only by cheque (who the fcuk has had a cheque book the last 20 years??) or postal order. Went and got a postal order, £8.30 fee for it.
The girl behind the counter @ the Post Office  asked me 'The Clerk of Petty Sessions?, we'll have another 50 of those today, and everyday.

So a nice wee total of £73.30 for going 30mph in a 30mph zone... 110% that speed gun was pointed a couple of hundred yards down the road.

3 x letters, postal order or cheque, the 'offence' happened early September.... Is it 2023 of 1973?!

Me.

So you paid  £60 fine.  Now what?  Do you have to take the speed awareness  course and/or got penalty points?

Fine and penalty points.

There was a one in Ballymena court last year.  A defendant representing himself started speaking about how the calibration result recorded in the police officer's statement was outside the operating range by 0.1m.  The judge asked sure what difference would that make you were 15mph over the limit.  The defendant started to explain the maths to him and the Judge replied.  That's all well and good but why should I take your word for it.  The defendant responded well I run the company that holds the contract for calibrating all the speed guns for all the police forces in the UK so I kinda know what I am talking about.  I don't think I have ever seen the judge as lost for words

David, I heard a story once. Not sure if true.  You could help.

Someone was once charged with speeding and stopped. They were told they were X over the limit.

He asked the cop when was the speed gun last calibrated and he asked to see a certificate of when it was calibrated last.

Does it have to be calibrated every day and could you request to see it? If not, is the speed fine still valid?

I suppose it's a technicality more than anything else.

Strange you should mention this as its become somewhat of a cause celebre for me this last year or so.  Building on from that earlier Ballymena story I ended up representing that guy in the case.  The position is that per guidance on the use of the gun is as follows.  Before use they should be checked this is known as a conformity check.  The results should be noted.  The conformity check doesn't assess if the gun is calibrated properly at all distances simply that they are working correctly at an exact distance making it more likely they are working at all distances.  A failure to perform the conformity check doesn't invalidate the reading but may result in the evidence from the gun being excluded.  In addition the gun must be calibrated once a year and if not can not be used.  The calibration also doesn't prove the gun is accurate (except at the exact moment it is calibrated).  You are entitled to see the certificate but it doesn't have to be produced immediately

Anyway since the Ballymena case I have had some success with the issue

So if someone was  caught speeding in a 30 zone, what's the recommended  path?

Take the points/fine , or go to court and  challenge the camera calibration ?

[J70]

If the cops are not following the manufacturer requirements for calibration and testing of their instruments, they should absolutely be challenged. One would hope that in all cases they'd be able to provide the records. In my field (not police) we use a lot of precision instruments and we have to be prepared for the possibility of having to defend our work in front of a lawyer or judge.

[Captain Obvious]

Las Vegas gunman that killed three students yesterday was a professor that was turned down for job in that University.

He was killed in a shootout with the police.

[David McKeown]

Speeding fines

* 35mph in a while 30mph zone (I wasn't, 110%, I was at 30mph well before entering the 30mph zone.

* 1st letter arrives, NO right of appeal, asking me to confirm it was me

* 2nd letter asking me confirm I'll pay fine / take speed awareness

* 3rd letter then to confirm amount (£60 + a wee £5 Offender Levy, whatever that is)

* payment only by cheque (who the fcuk has had a cheque book the last 20 years??) or postal order. Went and got a postal order, £8.30 fee for it.
The girl behind the counter @ the Post Office  asked me 'The Clerk of Petty Sessions?, we'll have another 50 of those today, and everyday.

So a nice wee total of £73.30 for going 30mph in a 30mph zone... 110% that speed gun was pointed a couple of hundred yards down the road.

3 x letters, postal order or cheque, the 'offence' happened early September.... Is it 2023 of 1973?!

Me.

So you paid  £60 fine.  Now what?  Do you have to take the speed awareness  course and/or got penalty points?

Fine and penalty points.

There was a one in Ballymena court last year.  A defendant representing himself started speaking about how the calibration result recorded in the police officer's statement was outside the operating range by 0.1m.  The judge asked sure what difference would that make you were 15mph over the limit.  The defendant started to explain the maths to him and the Judge replied.  That's all well and good but why should I take your word for it.  The defendant responded well I run the company that holds the contract for calibrating all the speed guns for all the police forces in the UK so I kinda know what I am talking about.  I don't think I have ever seen the judge as lost for words

David, I heard a story once. Not sure if true.  You could help.

Someone was once charged with speeding and stopped. They were told they were X over the limit.

He asked the cop when was the speed gun last calibrated and he asked to see a certificate of when it was calibrated last.

Does it have to be calibrated every day and could you request to see it? If not, is the speed fine still valid?

I suppose it's a technicality more than anything else.

Strange you should mention this as its become somewhat of a cause celebre for me this last year or so.  Building on from that earlier Ballymena story I ended up representing that guy in the case.  The position is that per guidance on the use of the gun is as follows.  Before use they should be checked this is known as a conformity check.  The results should be noted.  The conformity check doesn't assess if the gun is calibrated properly at all distances simply that they are working correctly at an exact distance making it more likely they are working at all distances.  A failure to perform the conformity check doesn't invalidate the reading but may result in the evidence from the gun being excluded.  In addition the gun must be calibrated once a year and if not can not be used.  The calibration also doesn't prove the gun is accurate (except at the exact moment it is calibrated).  You are entitled to see the certificate but it doesn't have to be produced immediately

Anyway since the Ballymena case I have had some success with the issue

So if someone was  caught speeding in a 30 zone, what's the recommended  path?

Take the points/fine , or go to court and  challenge the camera calibration ?

Each case turns on its own facts.  If you want to think about challenging I would speak to a solicitor.  The legal structures in NI are such that not as many technicalities result in acquittals as in England and Wales but some still do

[AustinPowers]

Speeding fines

* 35mph in a while 30mph zone (I wasn't, 110%, I was at 30mph well before entering the 30mph zone.

* 1st letter arrives, NO right of appeal, asking me to confirm it was me

* 2nd letter asking me confirm I'll pay fine / take speed awareness

* 3rd letter then to confirm amount (£60 + a wee £5 Offender Levy, whatever that is)

* payment only by cheque (who the fcuk has had a cheque book the last 20 years??) or postal order. Went and got a postal order, £8.30 fee for it.
The girl behind the counter @ the Post Office  asked me 'The Clerk of Petty Sessions?, we'll have another 50 of those today, and everyday.

So a nice wee total of £73.30 for going 30mph in a 30mph zone... 110% that speed gun was pointed a couple of hundred yards down the road.

3 x letters, postal order or cheque, the 'offence' happened early September.... Is it 2023 of 1973?!

Me.

So you paid  £60 fine.  Now what?  Do you have to take the speed awareness  course and/or got penalty points?

Fine and penalty points.

There was a one in Ballymena court last year.  A defendant representing himself started speaking about how the calibration result recorded in the police officer's statement was outside the operating range by 0.1m.  The judge asked sure what difference would that make you were 15mph over the limit.  The defendant started to explain the maths to him and the Judge replied.  That's all well and good but why should I take your word for it.  The defendant responded well I run the company that holds the contract for calibrating all the speed guns for all the police forces in the UK so I kinda know what I am talking about.  I don't think I have ever seen the judge as lost for words

David, I heard a story once. Not sure if true.  You could help.

Someone was once charged with speeding and stopped. They were told they were X over the limit.

He asked the cop when was the speed gun last calibrated and he asked to see a certificate of when it was calibrated last.

Does it have to be calibrated every day and could you request to see it? If not, is the speed fine still valid?

I suppose it's a technicality more than anything else.

Strange you should mention this as its become somewhat of a cause celebre for me this last year or so.  Building on from that earlier Ballymena story I ended up representing that guy in the case.  The position is that per guidance on the use of the gun is as follows.  Before use they should be checked this is known as a conformity check.  The results should be noted.  The conformity check doesn't assess if the gun is calibrated properly at all distances simply that they are working correctly at an exact distance making it more likely they are working at all distances.  A failure to perform the conformity check doesn't invalidate the reading but may result in the evidence from the gun being excluded.  In addition the gun must be calibrated once a year and if not can not be used.  The calibration also doesn't prove the gun is accurate (except at the exact moment it is calibrated).  You are entitled to see the certificate but it doesn't have to be produced immediately

Anyway since the Ballymena case I have had some success with the issue

So if someone was  caught speeding in a 30 zone, what's the recommended  path?

Take the points/fine , or go to court and  challenge the camera calibration ?

Each case turns on its own facts.  If you want to think about challenging I would speak to a solicitor.  The legal structures in NI are such that not as many technicalities result in acquittals as in England and Wales but some still do

Well , at this very moment,  I've not had any speeding fine.  And don't intend to have any. I honestly do my best to stay  within the limits, especially  the 30 and 40 zones. 

They are 30 zones  for a reason.  Kids about,  schools, traffic,  housing , driveways, etc... the amount of people I see flying through  30 zones in particular is  unbelievable .

[Eire90]

Are  Venezeula about to invade Guyana

[seafoid]

Greece GDP per head is €30,000 which is at Eastern European levels. The other side of the EU.

[seafoid]

Are  Venezeula about to invade Guyana

It is another culture war.

[armaghniac]

Are  Venezeula about to invade Guyana

Given that Brazil is on the side of Guyana, that might not be wise.

[AustinPowers]

And up yours too, BBC

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0kN1acUapMo&pp=ygUWYmJjIG5ld3MgbWlkZGxlIGZpbmdlcg%3D%3D

Was a bit like  getting caught giving the teacher  the finger in school

[Square Ball]

https://youtu.be/YZf74cNUxJ8?si=7OZCBLPas_uLV16E

Referee attacked in Turkey by club president.

https://x.com/ElijahKyama_/status/1734331166046474413?t=jNqDXogCVYSpNDRejp5s1g&s=08

Then kicked by others when on the ground

[smort]

Absolutely ridiculous

The conversation around referees is getting out of control. Between VAR in soccer, to every decision in football being discussed on here post match

People need to wise up

[JoG2]

Absolutely ridiculous

The conversation around referees is getting out of control. Between VAR in soccer, to every decision in football being discussed on here post match

People need to wise up

Can't remember the exact details, but one of the radio stations ran a report on 3 English counties trialling ref's wearing bodycams recently. Suspensions etc went down from hundreds to 9 during the same time period the season before.
The bodycams record the last 30 secs, then overwrite with the next. They do however have the ability to push the record button to when dealing with a specific incident