Previous owner of our car caught speeding and blaming us - how should we prove our innocence?
We received a letter from the police just over a month ago regarding a speeding fine. In the letter they stated that they were aware we were not the owner of the car at the time of the offence, but asked us to fill in the previous owner's details and send the form back, which we did. This week, we received a letter saying that they were going to take further proceedings against us if we did not pay the fine.
As you can imagine, we were quite confused, so called the police to ask why we had received this when we sent back the previous owners details. They informed us that the previous owner denied the fine and said he sold the car before that date. We bought the car privately and have evidence of buying the car through the bank transfer, texts and are currently looking for the written receipt the previous owner gave us. Will this be enough to prove we were not the owners at the time the offence occurred? Do you have any advice that may help us resolve this issue quickly?
As you can imagine, we were quite confused, so called the police to ask why we had received this when we sent back the previous owners details. They informed us that the previous owner denied the fine and said he sold the car before that date. We bought the car privately and have evidence of buying the car through the bank transfer, texts and are currently looking for the written receipt the previous owner gave us. Will this be enough to prove we were not the owners at the time the offence occurred? Do you have any advice that may help us resolve this issue quickly?
Asked on 5 May 2012 by YH, Edinburgh
Answered by
Honest John
Find the documents and submit copies to the police that are threatening to prosecute you, pointing out that if the case goes to court, your proof of when you actually bought the car will exonerate you. Obviously offer to supply the original documents to the police in order for them to successfully prosecute the previous owner in whose ownership the offence was committed.
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