Mum said son committed string of speeding offences
A mum has failed to have overturned a string of speeding convictions in her name she claimed were committed by her son.
Gillian Watson, 54, Canonsfield Close, Moorside, was found guilty in her absence of exceeding the limit seven times at roadworks at Testos Roundabout, at the border of South Tyneside and Sunderland.
But she appeared in court to ask to have the cases reopened, admitting she was responsible for one, but alleging her son had committed the other six.
Watson was originally convicted of failing to provide to
police information about who had been driving her Citroen motor.
It was caught on camera whizzing through the 40mph
ave ra ge s p e e d m o n i to re d zone on dates between Monday, October 28 and Tuesday, May 19.
Defence solicitor Jason
Smith told magistrates in South Tyneside Watson had responded to all court and Northumbria Police summonses and correspondence.
He said the force’s administration office had confirmed to Ms Watson her replies to at least some of the allegations had been received.
But magistrates said they were satisfied the correct administrative procedures had been carried out and Watson had failed to comply with requests.
O f re o p e n i n g th e c a s e, chair of the bench Thomas Eaststick told her: “We are not going to allow that, we can’t see any reason why that should be done.
“We have checked with the court record and the court record clearly says that you haven’t replied to any communications with the court.”
Watson, a team performance coach with an energy firm, was granted permission to plead a special hardships case to not lose her driving licence.
Mr Smith told the court: “She seems to have a son who is utilising her motor vehicle.
“She has replied to each and every one. Each and every one of these offences, on the face of it, she’s not guilty of.
“She’s sent off to the court or to the police to say that she’s not guilty and or has identified the driver.
“With each of these there seems to be something wrong with the postal service or administration.”
The case was adjourned for a special hardship hearing at Gateshead Magistrates’ Court on October 22.