To think I have just been charged by the police and not know what to do next

[Worriedmummy2]

This morning I was at netball club with my young daughter when 2 police officers turned up and asked to speak to me. I was panic stricken as I thought something had happened to my husband and son.

They took me a short distance away from everyone and read me my rights. I think I went into shock at the point and have difficulty recalling what was said next.

I all revolves around an incident 2 weeks ago at the same club. The carpark is always busy as a netball and football club is on at the same time. I had trouble getting into a space and tried to edge in really slowly. I was literally going so slowly the speed wasn’t even registering. I was struggling to get in and a space opened up right behind me so I parked there instead. A man then walked up to my window and said ‘you just hit that car’. I replied that I don’t think I hit anything, I didn’t feel anything and was watching very carefully. I also have back sensors which did not go off at all. The man then got aggressive and kept stating that I hit another car. My 6 year old daughter was with me and was getting upset. I said ok I will leave a note.

I then found the only scrappy bit of paper in the car that I could and wrote my mobile on it. I waited until the man walked away as I felt unsafe then went over to the car which I presumed was the one he meant. I could see no damage and there was no damage to my car. Nevertheless I put my phone number under the wiper. I didn’t write on it ‘I got your car’ or anything as I honestly don’t believe I did.

Fast forward 2 weeks and the police turn up. They gave me a list of offences - I think there were 3 and I think one was failing to stop and failing to report an accident. They said Aggressive man told the owner of the car that I had just left a blank piece of paper on the car but that he had my details. I explained what had actually happened I think but, to be honest, I was so stressed I imagine it was pretty jumbled. I’m just in disbelief. Why on earth would anyone leave a blank piece of paper when you go there every week, someone has taken a picture of your car etc.

I even showed them texts I sent to my husband 10 minutes later about what had happened and how I had left my details. I said in the text, I don’t think I hit them but they’ll probably try to claim for everything now so that will be our insurance going up.

The police read the texts, made a note of everything I had said and said they would investigate more. Have I been charged? Do I need a solicitor? What should I do next? My anxiety is through the roof after reading those charges can mean 6 months in prison. Haven’t stopped crying all day.

[DonPablo]

No, they were investigating and cautioned you. The caution simply means what they said: that anything you do say may be used in evidence.

Did they leave their details with you? You can call the non emergency number and ask to speak to them to clarify the situation.

[KarmaStar]

Hi op no you have not been charged.
This doesn't sit right with me at all.
Are you sure they were police officers?

[yanboo]

Get a solicitor but try not to worry. This sounds like a magistrate hearing at the very worst. Your liberty is not at risk.

A decent brief will tell you that you made a reasonable effort to leave your details - which was probably the means by which the police identified you. This works in your favour as it demonstrate you did leave your details.

Don’t worry and talk to a solicitor. Likely cost £70

[YippeeKayakOtherBuckets]

This sounds as dodgy as hell.

[Worriedmummy2]

Yes they definitely were. They were in a police car with uniforms etc. I didn’t get their names or anything I was in too much of a state.

[Tink1990]

How awful for you, I hope you are ok

[Mememeplease]

Are you sure it wasn't that same blokes car that he damaged at some point earlier and was trying to pin the blame on you?

[Villanellesproudmum]

Sounds as though they’re just trying to establish what happened. No charges! But you either hit a car or you didn’t? If you didn’t and there is no damage, say so.

[YippeeKayakOtherBuckets]

Phone your local station and ask for some sort of confirmation. It sounds like they are just going to forget it but for your own peace of mind give them a call and ask what has actually happened re charges/arrest.

[VladmirsPoutine]

I know you're very stressed right now but I highly doubt you are going to jail. Did they give you a contact number and what did they advise you would be the next steps?
I know it's all very daunting but you aren't on the most wanted list.

[Worriedmummy2]

They said I didn’t leave my details and that aggressive man gave my car reg to the owner of the car. But i 100% left my number under the wiper.

[Mississippilessly]

This sounds very very strange. Why would they turn up to the club?.I would have thought the first contact u would have had would be insurers.

Try not to worry. You arent going to prison. Repeat it yourself in a mirror. You are not going to prison.
My husband is a barrister and deals with RTAs all the time. I can assure you. You are not going to prison.

[Mememeplease]

Because why would the owner of a car not damaged bother to inform the police? Something isn't adding up. How much damage and what car and who does it belong to, are the questions I would be asking.

[Worriedmummy2]

I honestly have no idea why the aggressive man would lie to the car owner. He just seemed aggressive and out to get me from the offset.

[Mememeplease]

But if the car wasn't;t damaged surely it's a non issue?

[Footsall]

This seems very strange. Presumably if the guy had taken your details, the police would have turned up at your home address. Why sit and wait to see if you turn up at a netball match over something which seems relatively minor offence? As PP says were they police officers? Did they make you sign anything? If they had done anything other than have a quick chat with you, surely you would have had to sign something?

[Worriedmummy2]

They didn’t give me any paperwork or contact numbers

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1]

Is the aggressive man a policeman too?

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Just your phone number? Nothing else?

Did you make any other attempt to talk to the driver or the car? Tell someone who manages netball? Message at reception?

[CallMeCarolDanvers]

Relax.

Call 101, give them your details and your car reg. Tell them you want the officer dealing to get in touch as you don't understand what's going on. Explain you don't have any contact details. When the officer gets in touch, talk to them, find out where you stand, get them to email you. But you can't have been charged without paperwork. Probably it was just an interview about the incident.

(If nobody calls you back in, say, a week (because shifts etc mean officers aren't always there) then call back and complain or submit a complaint online to your local force. )

[Birdie6]

I'd ring the local police station and ask to speak to someone. Good luck !

[WhereIsMyTVRemote]

Hmmm... is the person someone in a position who has been able to swing this. This is excessive and won't go anywhere at all.

Op you will be absolutely fine, someone has a bee in his bonnet, just stick to the truth. You didn't leave the scene of an accident so keep to that.

I do wonder as a pp says whether angry man did the damage and is looking for someone else to blame.

[NuclearReactor]

You weren't charged. Someone reported an incident so they have to follow it up. You'll be ok. You say you haven't done anything and that car isn't damaged so there's no evidence of a crime either!

[CushyButtercup]

Most trade unions offer legal advice to members if you're in one.

[ZippyBungleandGeorge]

You've not been charged and might not at this rate, they are investigating, as long as you did leave your number you'll be fine. I saw a man hit another car in Aldi car park he went to just drive away, I knocked on his window and said you hit that car, he said oh yes I was going to leave my details (made no sense as he did it pulling out of the space and was moving to drive off in the main road bit in the car park, not really park to leave a note). I quickly took pictures of the damage on his car and his number plate he didn't see me he was talking to his wife, I walked off to get my trolley and saw him put a piece of paper under the wiper and drive off. I went back and looked and the paper was blank. I sent into the store and told them everything including the reg of the car hit, they did a tannoy and I was able to speak to the car owner, send her the pictures I'd taken and the store manager said he'd check the CCTV. I was called by police a couple of weeks later to give a statement as he had denied everything. People do do it.