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Public order offence for swearing during close pass

by the little onion
Thu, Oct 17, 2024 15:46
2

So here's an odd one. Just posting it here for any advice, though as a CyclingUK member, I'll also contact them to hear their view.

 

I was close passed in a really bad way a while back - basically, nearly squeezed between a barrier and a badly driven car. During the process, I "dropped the f-bomb" four times. I submitted the footage to the police, including an apologetic note for my language in the footage. The police are taking it further with the driver, apparently, but the driver has now complained that I was using foul and abusive language, and thus a public order offence. I'm now going to be interviewed under caution for a public order offence!

 

I've sent some footage to the police before which has included some fruity language, but never had anything like this before. Frankly, the whole thing is embarrasing that this has been taken this far. Surely there is no public interest in pursuing someone who lets their language standards dropped when narrowly escaping a serious road incident?

 

Any thoughts or advice welcome.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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2 comments

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mdavidford | 1 hour ago
2 likes

Sounds like a box ticking exercise to me - a complaint's been made, so they have to go through the motions of talking to you before concluding that there's nothing to see here.

Probably best to get the advice of someone more qualified than internet lawyers, though.

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HoarseMann | 1 hour ago
1 like

institutionally anti-cyclist

Sorry! But had to be said. Unfortunately, no advice because I'm in the TVP area and my recent experience with reports is a big black hole of nothingness. Although, I bet they'd be on it if someone complained about a cyclist under duress saying a rude word.

Quite frankly, I'm not sure this would get very far, possibly they're just trying to scare you off from submitting reports. Maybe they're hoping you will pleady guilty at interview so they can slap you with something and placate the driver.

I had a proper nutter run me off the road today, got out of his car and grabbed me. Really, this ought to be reported, an aggressive individual who needs taking off the roads. But I have no faith in the police anymore.

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