I am relating this experience in the hope it will reach a wider audience and serve as a warning of what they can expect when taking up the police offer, as a first time offender, of taking a speed awareness course. In February 2011 I was caught by a hidden camera driving at 39mph in a 30mph road. As I had a clean licence I was offered the alternative to the standard penalty of a £60 fine and three penalty points of going on a speed awareness course costing £90 and avoiding the points. I opted for the course and was then advised how to book on line. But the only venues available were in Nottingham, Derby, Berkshire and N. Ireland. At my last attempt I was told there were no courses available.

I then wrote to Surrey Constabulary detailing all this, only to be informed my case was to be referred to Redhill magistrates court. The result of this was that instead of the original penalty, which would have applied had I not opted for the course, I got a fine of £135; £15 victim support fine and £85 costs. This represents a 225 per cent increase because the police could not honour their commitment. The information sent to me did state that failure to take the course would result in a court referral, but at no time was I told that if I did not accept a course which was out of your county I would face a court hearing. I then wrote to the court asking if I could appeal the fine and was told that I could under my human rights and that it would now be referred to Guildford Crown Court and that I would be expected to appear. No further advice was provided as to how the appeal would be dealt with.

At the court I was then told by a lady barrister that she would be prosecuting me and that if I lost I would face a court cost of £400. As I was attempting to recover only £175 I did not think this a good bet and declined to proceed. It then transpired that I would still have to appear before a judge. When I did and explained why I was not proceeding the judge brushed aside what I had said and turned to the lady barrister asking her to ask for costs. She replied that as I had no awareness of the implications of this appeal she was not asking for costs and that I had already paid £85 in costs. The judge was furious, telling her she had no right to cause the taxpayer to bear these costs, albeit he did not specify how more costs were incurred. To the credit of this lady she refused to be bullied and no more was said to me so I simply walked out. Obviously my £235 penalty remained.

Moral of the story: unless you are prepared to gamble that you can get on one of these courses near where you live or are prepared to travel many miles this is what you can expect.