Man failed to give information on BMW driver speeding in Evesham

We previously reported Lee Thomas, of St Paul's Street, Worcester, failed to give information to West Mercia Police relating to the identity of a BMW 3 Series driver who was alleged to have been guilty of a crime.

Thomas was found guilty in absence through magistrates using the single justice procedure, with Thomas hit with a fine of £660 earlier this year. 

But Thomas later gave a stationary declaration and denied the offence taking it to a trial which was held at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday (August 7).

COURT: Lee Thomas leaving Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Sarah Hurd, prosecuting, explained to the magistrates they weren not trying to prove Thomas had been driving the car, just that he failed to co-operate with police in providing information about the driver. 

Ms Hurd told the court Thomas was written to in August last year and asked to return a form with information about the BMW alleged to have been speeding at 86mph on the 60mph Evesham bypass that month. 

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The prosecutor told magistrates the letter was recorded by police as being sent to the address Thomas lived at. 

But when he took to the witness box Thomas denied ever receiving the letter, explaining he could not send it back as he never had it. 

DRIVER: Thomas failed to give information on a BMW driver (Image: Canva)

After a short deliberation chairman of the magistrates bench Atif Ishaq told Thomas they were satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, the letter was delivered successfully to his home address so were finding him guilty. 

"Okay then," Thomas replied. 

The chairman fined him £207 and ordered he pay costs of £200 and victim surcharge of £83. 

Thomas was given 28 days to pay the £490 total in full. 

He was also given six penalty points on his licence. When he heard this the defendant said he had only passed his test in January 2022. 

The court clerk explained because the offence took place during a probation period, his driving licence would now revert back to a provisional one meaning he would be required to take his test again.