Page 176 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

due time approached, things at work were no better and I had had no time to consider the
case before me.

The friends in Croydon were also experiencing great difficulties with their work in interior
refurbishments but they kindly put me up again for the night before the big trial.
Over the years, I have had to appear in one or two different courts for motoring problems
minor and major, but never in Croydon. I decided to get there in good time, found a seat at
the back of the court and managed to see the two previous cases before mine, as a
member of the public.

As my name was called I moved into the “dock”!

Picture right, Croydon Magistrates Court.

The Policeman and WPC who experienced
my plight at Redhill duly told their story and
then it was my turn.
There were three Magistrates and they
listened intently to the tale I had to tell.

After I had finished, they huffed and puffed
and went into conference with the court
clerk.
A few minutes passed and they told me
they had to retire to consider and take
advice. When they eventually came back
into court, they explained quite truly, that the tale I had told them bore very little
resemblance to anything they had heard before, save some story involving an Irishman
and his donkey.

They were very kind and seemed to understand my throwing myself on their mercy
considering the true, lengthy and complicated circumstances I had found myself in.

I was fined £50 for having no MOT certificate and they reported me to the licensing
authority regarding the possible misuse of trade plates. It could have been far far worse!

I am not entirely sure whether I was the last case before lunch or the Magistrates needed
reviving after my tale, but they departed after giving their verdict and left me in court with
the Policeman and his WPC colleague.

They came over and shook my hand!
“In all my time on the road I have never heard such a tale,” the P.C. stated.

“You really deserved to get off lightly after that,” he finished.
All in all, a worthwhile trip. All those years as a salesman had been a help at last!
Heaven only knows what the outcome would have been if I had not taken the chance to
state my case!

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