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Hit with parking fines and accused of speeding... but I haven’t got a car
Benedict Moore-Bridger29 Jul 2010
A political lobbyist was threatened with prosecution for driving offences, despite not owning a car.
James Fothergill, 31, received letters from the Metropolitan Police and Enfield council accusing him of driving at 20mph above the speed limit, and demanding £240 in parking fines.
The letters concern a Ford Galaxy, a Bentley and a Range Rover, all apparently registered in his name. But although he has written to say there must have been a mistake, he says, he has had no reply.
“I don't own a car and I've held my licence for 15 years without committing a driving offence,” he said. “But the onus is put on me to show evidence that it wasn't me, or I face a big fine.
"I'm worried my personal details are being used fraudulently. I've not had a single reply to the three letters I've sent, so I'm none the wiser about whether I'm still being considered for prosecution.”
The first letter, from police, was sent on May 28, claiming the speeding offence could be “supported in court by technical and photographic evidence”. Two council letters followed on June 28 and July 16, alleging parking violations.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said someone could be falsely registering the cars at Mr Fothergill's address in Islington to avoid prosecution for motoring offences.
Enfield said the two tickets it issued were based on offences involving cars hired from Suffolk-based Vulcan Vehicle Solutions.
A council spokesman said: “The council has notification from a car rental company that Mr Fothergill was the registered driver concerning one ticket, and as such he is still liable for this ticket.
“The council was given the wrong documents from the car hire company stating falsely he was the driver concerning the other. We would like to apologise... This ticket will be cancelled.”
The company claims Mr Fothergill took out a Range Rover last month for “continual hire”, at a cost of £750 a month. But he insisted he had never rented a car from them, or provided his details, which the company said it had on file. Neither had he signed anything or paid any money, he said.
“Something fraudulent has clearly happened as I have never had any dealings with this company whatsoever.”
He is considering making a formal claim of identity fraud to police, and is lodging a complaint with Enfield.
Vulcan Vehicle Solutions said it was looking into the matter. A spokesman for the Met said its traffic criminal justice unit is also investigating.
Reader views (7)
It is not unusual for information to be "collected" on an individual a very simple way this can happen is via stolen mail.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford, 29/07/2010 19:09
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I can't understand why he's only CONSIDERING making a formal identity fraud claim. If I were in his position as claimed, this would be the first thing I would do, as without going down this route, I haven't a leg to stand on as far as the fines etc are concerned.
- Matt, London, 29/07/2010 14:33
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This happens to Joe Soap every day of the week; it's happened to me. Just because he is a 'lobbyist', he gets a bit of publicity.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 29/07/2010 11:45
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Can't agree more. The more information we give over the easier it would be for nefarious people and government agencies to stitch people up.
It's common sense isn't it? Despite the legislation there to protect our identities (Data Protection Act), our details can still be stored forever and even abroad, like Westminster Council allow details of parking users to be stored in Canada.
- Gary, Essex, 29/07/2010 11:38
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With all the identity fraud taking place in this country it will not be long before everyone in the country will have a second identity whether they like it or not.
Gordon Brown - Scotland
- Mr S,Port, London, 29/07/2010 11:25
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The fact that he is a "political activist" obviously has nothing to do with this whatsoever......NOT.
- Rod, Epping UK, 29/07/2010 11:09
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The more data held on databases; the more data will be stolen, cloned, and used for fraud.
Get used to it folks; this is the way it will be, forever.
- mickinlondon, london, 29/07/2010 10:40
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