A Biting Defence

Gillian, as you may recall, is a solicitor in Isaacs, Isaacs and du Point. She works nights, as you may imagine. As she said when she took the job Isaacs offered her (when he went on his sudden holiday to darker climes) “I’m a blood sucker already, why not be a lawyer as well?” In England we say ‘solicitor’ but there’s television for you.

She told us of an interesting case last night. She was called by the police to defend an odd case, that of a gentleman who had been detained because he was a passenger in a stolen car. They were charging him according to Theft Act 1968 section 12 which lumps together those who steal a vehicle and those who allow themselves to be carried in it and carries a possible sentence of up to six months (assuming no damage or injuries occurred). *

What amused Gillian so much was the innocence of the man. Graham Talbot had been in the back seat of a Triple-S taxi on Laver Bridge Street while the driver nipped into the Gents to relieve himself. The vehicle, left running with the keys in, had been taken by person or persons unknown and driven to Bottom Offley and abandoned. Mr. Talbot had been found fast asleep on the back seat and when woken asked if they were at Church Street already and how much was the fare.

The Police suspected a ruse and his case comes up on Friday.





* There was a case of a similar nature in Hampshire following an incident on 20th August 2008 where a driver without a licence or insurance collided with a cyclist, killing him, and with another person causing serious injury. The driver was charged with:

* causing death by dangerous driving
* causing death by driving without a licence
* causing death while driving without insurance.

The passenger was charged with:

* aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring causing death by dangerous driving
* aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring causing death by driving without a licence
* aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring causing death by driving while driving without insurance