Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let them take me to court

27 replies

dilemma456 · 01/06/2010 19:55

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
HurleySatOnMe · 01/06/2010 19:56

WHen you say dragged off what do you actually mean?
Did the inspector get on the bus along the journey and ask for everyone's ticket? Seems a bit heavy handed tbh

AmazingBouncingFerret · 01/06/2010 19:58

She's under five, I dont understand why they are persuing this?? I would say yes, but I have no experience of going to court so have no idea how much hassle/stress it is etc.

WellMeantHellBent · 01/06/2010 19:58

I would let them take me to court and then go to the papers afterwards!

But no idea they would go as far as they have done though, I have lied about DS age at certain places and on buses, but not regularly.

Cammelia · 01/06/2010 19:59

Why did they not believe you at the time - does dd look old for her age?

If they want to waste their money taking you to court for a non-case, let them.

booyhoo · 01/06/2010 19:59

i would let them take me, you ahve provided evidence that dd is only four and if it goes to court then the court cant change the rules just because it has come to court. they would be mad to take you though.

BessieBoots · 01/06/2010 19:59

How ridiculous. I'd write another letter, and send a copy to your local rag.

WellMeantHellBent · 01/06/2010 19:59

I also used to say I was a half fare until I was 18 and my boobs got too big! I am very bad and obviously the type of person they were trying to catch out, not honest people like you!

SirBoobAlot · 01/06/2010 19:59

Go to the papers and see if they're still willing to follow it up after that. Seems rather OTT.

scurryfunge · 01/06/2010 20:00

Surely there is more to this, the Police wouldn't bother with this normally. Are you sure it was the police that dealt with you?

HurleySatOnMe · 01/06/2010 20:00

I should add, I have been known to lie to avoid bus fare too and dd has been prepped to say she is 4, though she has never been asked. Strange that they would ask, and then presumably take the word of, such a young child.

MickyLee · 01/06/2010 20:00

I think they will be very embarrassed when they get to court. If anything you should be taking them!

zapostrophe · 01/06/2010 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

HecateQueenOfWitches · 01/06/2010 20:01

Let them take you to court. They will look STUPID!

Send them another copy of birth cert recorded delivery and contact local paper - they LOVE a story like that!

There is no way you will have to pay a fine! In fact, can you ask the court for costs - lost wages for the day off work to attend etc?

xstitch · 01/06/2010 20:01

I would let them take you to court. I can understand why they didn't believe you at first but the subsequent letter and accompanying birth certificate. I would get legal advice asap.

lal123 · 01/06/2010 20:03

Its likely that the bus co. have forwarded your "non payment" to a debt collecting agency who probably haven't been told that you've sent in her birth cert etc??? Part of me says let them take you to court. But the other part says to give them a call and explain that you've already sent them proof of her age and that they should stop harassing you. (Similar thing happened to me re a parking fine which I'd successfully appealed.)

Cammelia · 01/06/2010 20:04

I certainly would not get legal advice and accrue any costs myself - the case will be thrown out when you re-provide the evidence of the child's age to the court.

Original poster
dilemma456 · 01/06/2010 20:39

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
WellMeantHellBent · 01/06/2010 20:40

Lol thought you maybe had a few strong words with them or something! Do let us know how you get on

TottWriter · 01/06/2010 20:44

If you did want legal advice (in the event that they're daft enough to keep pursuing this) your local CAB would be the place to go. They offer free advice for all sorts of things, which would save you accruing any costs yourself.

Sounds like an utterly ridiculous and disproporionate thing for them to be doing though - is there no drink driving, truancy, or other petty crime in your neighbourhood then?

Pigsinblankets · 01/06/2010 20:46

Disgraceful, you should sue them for making you get off the bus for no reason. I hate these jobsworth idiots. Definitely tell the papers, make them look stupid.

IveStillGotIt · 01/06/2010 21:09

I would have phoned the papers as soon as I got chucked off the bus!!!
This used to piss me off when DS was younger.
Just after he turned three, he got glasses, and for some strange reason knob-head bus drivers thought this made him over 5! Even though he was still in a buggy!!!
It got so bad, that I had to get him to take his glasses off until we got on the bus, just to stop arsehole drivers thinking im some sort of fare fiddler!!!

I however never encountered what you have, I think it's disgraceful the way you were treated, and I cant believe the fuzz never took your word regarding your DD age. Could they not have radioed the station and done a PNC, surely that would have shown your DD age?
YADNBU, and let them waste tax payers money, taking you to court, and make sure you phone your local paper, The Sun, DM!, the lot! first thing in the morning!

littleducks · 01/06/2010 21:17

I would say let them take you to court but when we were last called to court (long story but er arent criminals!) it said that the court and its waiting rooms were unsuitable for children, so it could provide you with a childcare nightmare

mumbar · 01/06/2010 21:33

yeah I'm thinking the fact you'd need childcare is pretty indicative of the fact DD isn't 5 yet and not at school!!!

Cammelia · 03/06/2010 17:24

It reminds me of being in the queue at my bank with dd aged 3 when a man marched up to me and said "why isn't your child at school?" (I don't know to this day who the man was - a truancy official or just a nosy member of the public??)

I looked hime in the face and answered as if I was dd in a little child's voice "Because I'm only 3"

He practically ran out of the bank

musicposy · 03/06/2010 18:20

Definitely let them take you to court and counter claim for them making you get off the bus - $5000 for harrassment, is it?