Anyways, I ended up riding amongst a group of three other bikers as we headed into a village. I didn’t think too much about it until a copper jumped out from behind a bush and waved at us to stop. With that, the other bikes took off. I can only presume they were out riding against the lockdown rules. However, I duly stopped as soon as I safely could, about 100 to 150 meters or so past the copper. And I waited. And waited.
I could see him in my mirrors throw his arms in the air and look generally grumpy and annoyed (it was raining, and he was soaked… haha!). However, he did not walk down the road to speak to me. So, after giving it a few minutes, I started up and rode away. All very odd. And then I caught up with the other bikers. They had been stopped by another copper a mile or so down the road. I duly got pulled over and was told that I failed to stop for a police constable contrary to s.163 of the Road Traffic Act.
I will be blunt. At this point I was annoyed but was told if I disagree, I could go to court. I have now been summonsed. Will I be found guilty? And what is the punishment?
Answer
Defend it. The copper is taking the mick. You have done nothing wrong. Firstly, I suspect he tried to flag you down as you happened to end up riding amongst the group. That in itself is not a crime. Secondly, you stopped.
It looks like the grumpy (wet) copper has thrown his toys out of the pram. Sadly, it will not go away on its own, so you will have to engage with the Court process. However, if I were a betting man, once a grown-up looks at this I suspect the CPS may well drop the case. As an aside, even if you are found guilty, or plead guilty to that offence, the likely punishment would not be penalty points etcetera, but just a fine and Court costs.
Andrew Prendergast
More Bikes May 2021
