Last year [during a period of Rail Disruption] I was caught quite unaware of the problems and had to dash from Bedford to Luton in order to catch a flight at the airport, I "Borrowed" a car from the people who lived next door and sped off without informing them of my action.
I took the route down the M1 motorway and [within a speed controlled zone] drove at almost 90 m.p.h. and was pulled over by the motorway police who arrested me for various reasons:-
They were able to determine that the vehicle I was driving had no M.O.T. was neither taxed nor insured, that I did not have a driver's license and that [after enquiries] I had taken the vehicle without the consent of the owner.............. I was in BIG trouble.
I made matters a little worse when I offered them a few quid to let me go but unfortunately they would not co-operate with my plan.
Two weeks ago, the matter came to court and my only hope was to rely upon the expertise of my solicitor [Legally Aided since I only get £47,500 per annum benefits] who presented my case and pleaded mitigating circumstances [that a severe penalty would result in great hardship to my family] and the Magistrate reluctantly [I could tell] agreed with him.
It was mentioned that the gravity of my offences were such that they should be dealt with in a higher court [I think I heard the word "Sessions" mentioned] but it was decided that the law would be better served if my case was dealt with at a later date and I was placed on remand [Bailed] since it might result in a prison sentence.
Now, I don't fancy being locked up with a load of "Riff-Raff", my solicitor has advised me to get out of the country, change my name and come back in a couple of weeks, I will STILL qualify for all my benefits since my new name will fit in nicely with my family and everything will be "Hunkey Dorey" [a Brit expression] and I will have enjoyed a couple of weeks back in my homeland.
The ONLY problem I can see is that [according to the new "Budget"] my housing benefits may be cut and that might be inconvenient, I think I will apply for a bigger house and fetch my sister and her family back with me, we can all live together and [as they say] " Two people can live as cheaply as one" [although it could be extended to "Twelve people can live as cheaply as six"].
In due course, I will let you know of any further developments.
I'm thinking of suing the police for harassment, they made me miss my flight and a close family member [overseas] was very sick, I explained that to them but they didn't take any notice of me, in fact, I feel as though they were racially biased, we will see.