Cyclist alleged to have made stab threats to driver who suspected she was going to run red light

don simon wrote:

Also plod, take a good look at yourselves, no one was hurt, there were no witnesses and no recorded evidence. Just treat it in the same way you'd treat the victim of a close pass.

+1.

Whole thing sounds to me very much like going to the police to get theior own "woe is me" story in before the cyclist actually comes along to make a report of a close pass and road rage. Local paper will love it cos it's an anti-cyclist story so a bit of sympathy press for the driver. Regardless of how true it is. By the time the real story comes out (if it ever does) all anyone will remember is the "assaulted by cyclist" story and that will equal "it's OK for me to close pass them in revenge" mindset.

PapaSmurf wrote:

So, point an object at someone and it all gets taken very seriously because, I presume, it’s considered dangerous? 

Perhaps someone can explain to me why is a wing mirror on an Audi TT traveling at over 30mph that misssed me by a few cm not considered by the Dorset Police to be dangerous enough to take any action?

Go and ask them!

wellsprop wrote:

The local police (Avon & Somerset) seem to be all over hate crime cases against homosexuals and ethnic minorities, but don't seem to care if it's against cyclists (having reported 5 incidents in the last year - death threats, stuff thrown at me, swerved into, passengers trying to hit me with various items).

If I manage to stay awake long enough, or don't wake up with the hangover that I suspect is brewing as I type, I may well have started the UK Ethnic Homosexual (and mainly cycling) Club.

Don't tell my wife (beard) if I do.

brooksby wrote:

"Believing she was about to run a red light" - so, *didn't* run a red light?

Yeah, I read this as some busy twat in one of those ubiquitous SUV things had a go at a cyclist in case they did something that the driver didn't like.

They had a row.

The driver then went to the police. Now this is a busy twat who has a go at people who *might* be about to do something and then runs to plod when it doesn't go her way. Chances of her version of events being accurate? 0.00%

The police are outraged that the cyclist didn't just know her place and accept abuse for not actually doing anything wrong yet. They appeal for footage of this menace to society in case other drivers suffer the affrontery of the possibility that she might break other rules, and then turn things into a row when busy twats have a go at her for not doing anything wrong yet.

martib wrote:

“Finally, I would ask any motorists who were travelling in the area at the relevant time and have dash cam fitted in their vehicles to contact us if they have captured the incident.”

 

So dashcam footage is OK as evidence, however footage from cyclists is not enough evidence. Rank hypocrisy, as others have said, I think someone is being economical with the truth here.

Funny how the Police won't do anything when drivers use their vehicle as a weapon. 

 

Also hope they are going to have a word with the driver of the burgundy car in the pic, looks like a close pass 

it's not just hypocrisy it breaks their sworn oath to not show bias/discrimination in their duties to keep the peace. How you police one incident you must do the same for others. If you take into account the relative threat and known outcomes of motorvehicle drivers hurting others (so breach f the peace) then the police by definiton of not acting on vid footage by people on bikes yet wanting to rely on vid footage for something like this means they are breaking their oath and showing discrimination and not being impartial, not showing integrity or fairness or indeed upholding human rights and equal respect.

A reminder of the oath/attestation.

 I. ... of ... do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental 
human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and that while I continue to hold the said office I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law."

wellsprop wrote:

The local police (Avon & Somerset) seem to be all over hate crime cases against homosexuals and ethnic minorities, but don't seem to care if it's against cyclists (having reported 5 incidents in the last year - death threats, stuff thrown at me, swerved into, passengers trying to hit me with various items).

Get yourself a rainbow jersey.

matthewn5 wrote:

Neither are Essex Police. Look at this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz_c6UH9Ev8

"Not enough evidence" they said. He's not a roadie. He's got a disability and rides a sit-up-and-beg bike. Rammed off his bike for daring to ride on the road.

I would have thought that your friend has a couple more courses of action - I viewed the video and it seems that the driver has admitted liability, paying for damage to bike.

My understanding is that if your friend were to sue in small claims for assult then the driver would not have a defence - having admitted that he did it and their being video evidence. The burden of proof in a civill claim is much lower than a criminal claim and he admitted liability at a criminal level. I do not know whether the police action would limit any claim, but given that it was without your friend's authority I would have though that it would not - a solicitor would know. Any here know?

The driver seems to be wearing a martial arts club/organisation logo - it's a ying yang symbol with an image of a man superimposed, though I could  not make out the writing. Also with the way he was bouncing around in a prepared state I would reckon karate (shotakan?), tai kwon do or kick boxing. Martial arts bodies take a dim view of one of their members attacking someone who is not a threat. I would fully expect to have that licence taken away.

Bikebikebike wrote:

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15845196.Woman_comes_forward_after...

So it appears the lady on the bike came forward, and there were no charges.  So presumably the motorist was lying, as would it appear from her weird story.

Looks like there may have been a bit of "creative exaggeration", anyway...

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Following a photo appeal, a woman came forward to assist officers with the investigation.

“As a result of an investigation the decision has been made that no charges will be brought, and no further police action will be taken.”