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.

I find it bonkers that the police are apparently strapped of cash yet still have the resources to investigate extremely trivial matters like this.

The best advice I can give with regards to dealing with the police is- don't engage. I think if you treat them like what they are- effectively salesmen, you'll get a better outcome. I'd also be straight onto a lawyer and don't speak directly to either the police or the other individual involved here.

Agree with PP don't accept a caution, get a solicitor if they even bother pursuing the case.

They haven’t said anything about a caution, just that they are not taking the matter any further.

I have no idea why they turned up at netball- all I can think of is that one of the men involved called them to say I was there as I imagine they were too as we all go every week I presume.

Still no email received but I guess the bloke involved needs to take his car to get a quote first.

But yes, I agree with the previous posters - it would be nice to get this sort of personal, fast service when the crime reported is a serious one

That video is bonkers Daubergine 😂
Why can't she reverse out of that space? Very odd.

Ignore the nasty idiots on here OP.

I think either it someone who is related to police or the aggressive man has had damage done to his car and he's trying to get you to pay for it. Why don't you ask the police for the make/colour of the car and see if it is the same on that was parked next you to you. Even if you don't remember it exactly it might give you an idea. Also ask them if the car that was hit belongs to the aggressive man and suggest this may be a scam.

It might also be worth asking for a picture of "damage". It is probably under your excess which is why police suggested not involving insurance.

Similar situation but my friend was reversing in a car park and hit a bollard. She got out and was no damage to her car.

Several weeks later police showed up and charged her with 1. Leaving the scene of a crime. 2. Failing to report and accident.

They sent off report to procurator fiscal who has taken it forward to court. My friend is fighting it though as there is possibility of a minimum of 3 points per charge and an unlimited fine.

No idea why the police are so interested in a minor bump but I would put money on shouty man being the one who hit the car not you.

@Worriedmummy2 what kind of vehicle?

Why are you repeatedly asking OP that same question cheesypizza?! I don’t blame her at all for not wanting to ask her after the really horrible comments you posted earlier (one of which I reported you for as it happens).

If someone had been so nasty to me in my own post I certainly wouldn’t be answering any more questions from them.

*answer

If it makes you feel any better I saw someone hit my parked car and drive off, I reported it to the police (I had the reg number) and they did absolutely fuck all. So based on that I’d imagine the chances of you going to prison for 6 months are minuscule, unless you’ve got a list of previous as long as your arm.

Oh seen the rest of the thread and glad it’s sorted. As for aggressive man who knows there are some bloody weird people out there or maybe he hit it himself and saw a way of trying to get someone else to carry the can.

@cheeseypizza I'm going to report you!

Think the conspiracy theories on this thread are way OTT. The op does say in earlier posts that she didn’t think that she had hit a car, which suggests she’s not 100% sure. I’ve been victim to this in a supermarket car park before but fortunately the supermarket provided ctv to the police who managed to track the woman down. She absolutely denied she had hit my car even though the ctv image showed very clearly what happened. It’s pretty crap to be on the other end of this type of scenario.

Be very careful, OP.

Something doesn't sound quite right here. Not so much a conspiracy, but the amount of energy the police are putting into this is unusual to say the least.

Be aware that as soon as you've agreed to pay for the damage you've admitted liability. Once you've done that you've exposed yourself to further claims when the owner finds damage 'that wasn't immediately apparent'. You may find that the original bill comes in for around £400 - the sort of sum you'd expect to be under a newish driver's excess. So you'd pay it. Then something else, perhaps the car is delayed at the repairer's and a few weeks of hired car is necessary. Or a structural problem that the driver 'didn't expect'.

I'd really recommend going through your insurance. Tell them everything, including the ready availability of the police, and them turning up at the club. They may do their own investigations or they may pay up, but that could be cheaper in the long run.

If you do pay yourself, make sure the owner signs that this is in full settlement of any claims arising from the incident, now and in the future. And be very suspicious if he tries to wriggle out of it. It wouldn't indicate he is dodgy - if someone damaged my car in similar circumstances, I absolutely wouldn't sign, just in case. But you don't know this person.

I’m glad it’s getting sorted out but I would go through your insurance as they will deal with all the hassle and then there’s no come back.
I was hit in a car park a few weeks ago. I didn’t notice the scratches on the car when I returned as I was too busy loading a grumpy toddler in. The person who hit me had just left a phone number and it was fine phoned her got details then told insurance.
I also think understand your anxiety as if I’d have found the scratches later and no note had been left I’d have been wondering what I’d hit even though I know you can definitely feel it when you got something (yes my parents gate post at their last house, got it most visits).

Interesting update this morning - I received an email from the man whose car I apparently collided with which contained his full name. Out of interest I looked for him on Facebook and guess what.......he is a serving police officer!!! I guess it is one rule for them and one rule for everyone else. Shocked but not surprised.

Bent copper as my DF would say

Then you ask for it to go through insurers and supply evidence and a diagram and take it from there.

Apologies to all lovely police officers out there, but it can attract assholes who like to lord it over others sadly. You may have found such a one.

So was he AM OP? Or AM's policeman friend?

Oh dear. What a surprise!!! 🙄

My car once rolled about 6ft and hit a Hilux. Given my car was a punto, you can imagine the damage was minimal as my car was going at snail speed
I got a quote from him for over £1000 worth of work. Insurance refused to pay it all and sent assessors out. Just under 3 years later I got a court letter claiming for more
The first letter o received was him trying to claim for personal injury despite the fact neither cars were occupied at the time
So I can well believe he had damage caused elsewhere as that's what had happened with mine, it was already damaged and he saw an opportunity to claim

If you do decide to pay (which I don't think you should do without a fight as ther is no proof you did anything) be sure to get your own quote on the damage, so the car owner can't then "inflate" the cost