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Driver fined 'for blowing nose' | Driver fined 'for blowing nose' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
An Ayrshire businessman says he has been fined by the police for blowing his nose while driving. | An Ayrshire businessman says he has been fined by the police for blowing his nose while driving. |
Michael Mancini, from Prestwick, said he was sitting in stationary traffic with the handbrake on when he used a tissue to clean his nose. | Michael Mancini, from Prestwick, said he was sitting in stationary traffic with the handbrake on when he used a tissue to clean his nose. |
He claimed he was waved over by four police officers and given a fixed penalty for not being in proper control of his car. | He claimed he was waved over by four police officers and given a fixed penalty for not being in proper control of his car. |
He has refused to pay the £60 fine and the case may now proceed to court. | He has refused to pay the £60 fine and the case may now proceed to court. |
The 39-year-old, who runs a furniture restoration business in Ayr, said: "The traffic was nose to tail in the high street and the traffic stopped and I thought that was quite a good time (to blow his nose). | |
"I stopped the van and put the handbrake on. I saw four police officers nearby. The traffic moved on and I was waved across by an officer. | |
It should have been obvious to the officers what was going on and it beggars belief a ticket was issued Peter LockhartMr Mancini's solicitor | |
"He said I was not in control of the vehicle." | |
Mr Mancini said he was "absolutely stunned" by the police action. | |
He added: "I said to the officer 'You're joking, you're having a laugh'. | |
"I've never been in trouble with the police. I was just completely gobsmacked. I honestly thought someone was going to run out with a camera." | |
Mr Mancini was fined on 26 October at the High Street in Ayr but has not paid the penalty. | |
His solicitor, Peter Lockhart, said he had written to the procurator fiscal on 18 January but a letter arrived the following day stating that if the fine was not paid the case would go to court. | |
Public interest | |
Mr Lockhart said: "In the letter I said - 'It should have been obvious to the officers what was going on and it beggars belief a ticket was issued'. | |
"I also wrote - 'We cannot see, given the circumstances of this case, that it is in the public interest'." | |
Mr Lockhart said he was waiting to hear if a court date has been set. | |
"We will be pleading on his (Mr Mancini's) behalf not guilty," he added. | |
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: "A 39-year-old man is the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in connection with an alleged traffic offence." | A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: "A 39-year-old man is the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in connection with an alleged traffic offence." |
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