I retired from the magistracy in 2015 after 17 years mainly as a presiding justice

United Kingdom
My current blog can be accessed at https://thejusticeofthepeaceblog.blogspot.com/

PERJURY AND THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE

 

21. Jan. 2010. – 12:01:21

It`s not very often that a charge of Perjury follows from proceedings at a Magistrates` court. But for a Mr Plews of Middlesbrough the game was up yesterday at Teesside Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to having made a false statement trying to avoid a driving ban because of “exceptional hardship” at Teesside Magistrates’ Court last year. He had been charged with using a mobile phone while driving and using a vehicle without insurance. He had originally presented in his evidence a letter supposedly written by Mr Belal Aslam Khan. He told the Judge at Crown Court that he wrote the letter on headed notepaper provided by Mr Khan. He was remanded in custody for reports prior to being sentenced.

It is unfortunately the case that many offenders believe that they can lie at a Magistrates` Court especially in cases concerned with driving whether eg excess alcohol, insurance or identity of driver. There should be no sympathy for Mr Plews who is likely to be imprisoned for his efforts to cheat the law. When the law can be sidestepped by lying or bribery or threats we are but one step from the original legal system; The Law of the Jungle.

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