RW1087
Member
Hello,
On 9th February i was stopped by the Police for no insurance and no MOT. I provided a road side breath test and blew over at 80. I was put in cuffs and transported to the police station. I unfortunately have dealt with depression and anxiety and severe panic attacks (brought on by not being able to remove myself from a situation - trains, planes, Tube, Hairdressers etc.) being in cuffs and in a police station brought a panic attack on, i didn't wish to listen to sergeant at the check in desk & just wanted the cuffs off and to be by myself in a cell to try and compose myself. Through this, i was polite throughout, but refused to do further breath tests, due to my state of panic. From memory i wasn't offered bloods or urine, just breath which i declined. I was warned this was an offence, which i didn't really understand at the time due to the panic attack.
In respect to my insurance, this was a direct debit issue, i had been insured for the last 11 months, the last payment failed to come out, so the insurer cancelled the policy early as it was the last month of the policy. Likewise, the MOT, we knew was due shortly, and hadn't realized it had expired 20 days before this offence. ( I fully understand these offence are my responsibility, i guess the only plus i can portray is i haven't just been driving around for years without insurance on purpose, i had been insured for the last 11 months? Likewise the MOT, it had passed, but again not by months, and not on purpose)?
I pleaded not guilty when asked upon leaving the police station, and have a court appearance on 15th March. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. To add - 1st offence, no points on my licence. Driving for 14 years.
On 9th February i was stopped by the Police for no insurance and no MOT. I provided a road side breath test and blew over at 80. I was put in cuffs and transported to the police station. I unfortunately have dealt with depression and anxiety and severe panic attacks (brought on by not being able to remove myself from a situation - trains, planes, Tube, Hairdressers etc.) being in cuffs and in a police station brought a panic attack on, i didn't wish to listen to sergeant at the check in desk & just wanted the cuffs off and to be by myself in a cell to try and compose myself. Through this, i was polite throughout, but refused to do further breath tests, due to my state of panic. From memory i wasn't offered bloods or urine, just breath which i declined. I was warned this was an offence, which i didn't really understand at the time due to the panic attack.
In respect to my insurance, this was a direct debit issue, i had been insured for the last 11 months, the last payment failed to come out, so the insurer cancelled the policy early as it was the last month of the policy. Likewise, the MOT, we knew was due shortly, and hadn't realized it had expired 20 days before this offence. ( I fully understand these offence are my responsibility, i guess the only plus i can portray is i haven't just been driving around for years without insurance on purpose, i had been insured for the last 11 months? Likewise the MOT, it had passed, but again not by months, and not on purpose)?
I pleaded not guilty when asked upon leaving the police station, and have a court appearance on 15th March. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. To add - 1st offence, no points on my licence. Driving for 14 years.
