GATSO MAN PLANS TO FIGHT ON

Friday 14th January

David Edgar's legal battle against over-reading cameras rumbles on

David Edgar, the man who intends to prove that Gatso scameras over-read and therefore help convict the innocent, has reiterated his commitment to continue the fight against what he described as 'the old boy network'.

He said that since they had refused to communicate with him, he would not be attending the court hearing, which was due yesterday but, if they convicted him in his absence, he would take it to appeal.

However, sources suggest that this may not be the full story, as the charge against Edgar was not, say sources, speeding but failure to disclose the driver. In other words, Edgar has received a notice of intent to prosecute (NIP) but has not responded. The Crown Prosecution Service has consequently ruled that the Gatso evidence is not relevant to the case until the matter of who was driving has been determined.

Nonetheless, Edgar's statement, posted on another forum, is below:

�Since launching this legal counter attack on the Gatso speed camera I have received an enormous amount of mail supporting my stand against the unfair and unjust exploitation of law abiding motorists, the Internet campaign groups have also rallied round and supported my efforts, so too have the national press and TV who have beat a path to my door for what is now becoming a very big story, I have also received a number of emails warning me of the evil empire who will do anything to protect its money grabbing scam, they were not wrong......

"As predicted the old boy network have attempted to deny my legal challenge to the accuracy of the Gatso speed camera by totally ignoring my formal request for a full day in Court, this being made last November, they have deliberately remained silent about the fact that they knew all along that they had only allowed two hours for a very technical and complex trial.

"Fortunately an investigative journalist alerted me to this fact yesterday following his conversation with the Listing Office, I then immediately contacted the Listings Office and confirmed the same, I also made it clear that this was totally unacceptable and I would immediately apply for an adjournment.

"Having made such a formal Application to the Birmingham Magistrates' Court yesterday afternoon I have to report that they have totally ignored the same therefore I have since written to the Court informing them that I will not be attending the Court tomorrow and warned them that if they proceed in my absence an immediate appeal will be made to the Crown Court.

"Having received such an immense amount of support from the hundreds of decent people out there I felt it only right and fair to inform each and every one of them of the current situation and encourage them not to despair or give up, because I never will, this is only the beginning but I believe it will be the beginning of the end for the Gatso speed camera.

"The fight will continue...."

Previous story: www.pistonheads.com/speed/default.asp?storyId=9689

Forum: pepipoo.com/NewForums2/viewtopic.php?p=37030#37030

I'm afraid I think your correct Ian, I contacted the home office regarding phone masts being considered dangerous whilst operating at I.8 GHz when well up in the air, yet gatso's are regarded as safe, don't need planning permission etc, yet operate at 33 - 36 GHz at head height, outside schools houses etc.

I received a strange call back, and just cant get any answers.

http://www.pistonheads.com/speed/default.asp?storyId=9990

GATSO MAN IS CONVICTED

Friday 4th March

�People�s Hero� David Edgar fails to show for court hearing

Thousands of motorists were left fuming this week as David Edgar failed to attend his own trial for a speeding offence. PistonHeads reported in January this year on the retired electronics engineer and former professional inventor, who said he intended to prove that Gatso-based evidence was responsible for convicting thousands of innocent motorists because the speed cameras he investigated over-estimated motorists' speed by up to 25 per cent. See link below for full stories.

Edgar, of Walsall, West Midlands, had previously been very vocal in the development of his defence against the so-called �greed cameras�, where he claims to have categorical proof that speed cameras may not be as accurate as the police claim they are.

A source at Birmingham Magistrates Court stated that Edgar, who had previously had his case adjourned because of his non-attendance in January of this year, did actually come to court today. However, prior to his being called into the court, Edgar decided not to defend himself, and left before the case was heard.

Edgar�s non-attendance meant the Court had to deal with the case in his absence, and returned the decision that he was guilty of failing to complete his Notice of Intended Prosecution � technically referred to as a Section 172 Offence.

Edgar was fined �150 plus �300 court costs, and his driving licence was suspended until such time as it was produced to the court for an endorsement of three penalty points.

Simon Tonks, a local anti-speed camera campaigner said, �This is bitterly disappointing; Mr. Edgar has let a lot of people down with his promises of proof. We were very hopeful that this case might shed some light on the speed camera schemes, as there have been fears for a long time that the implementation of speed cameras is less about road safety than it is about fining motorists.�

www.pistonheads.com/speed/default.asp?storyId=9689

www.pistonheads.com/speed/default.asp?storyId=9723

41 comments on this story

Webmaster-Do you have absolute proof of this posters ID--OR will you be requiring  ALL such communications in future, to be sent with a pre-arranged password.??

The Great support for Mr Edgar is, I am sure , still considerable but due to the events of this year, and the result of the Court hearing, the topic has now cooled.