International Law

Cop out by Lincolnshire Police

By John Hirst

It was reported on BBC1 Look North tonight that Lincolnshire Police has decided not to charge a 17 year old youth who caused a head on crash whilst driving without a licence and insurance. The youth who was racing against a friend overtook and crashed into an elderly couples car on the other side of the road. The couple narrow escaped serious injury or death. Apparently, the police decided to let the youth off instead with a final warning. I do not know whether this was a first and final warning or whether he had received previous warnings for other offences. In any event, it remains puzzling why the police decided not to prosecute in a case which is obviously a serious offence. According to the Lincolnshire Police it was because of the youths age and upon gathering evidence. However, the youth is 7 years over the age of criminal responsibility, and the evidence is that he had no driving licence and no insurance and by overtaking his friend on a bend he caused a head on car crash. Whilst I accept it is not a good thing to have a criminal record at such a young age which may harm his future prospects, nevertheless I feel that a warning is not the appropriate penalty in the circumstances.

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on January 14, 2008 (boomark / email).