Oxford bike fanatic Paul fined...for not wearing seatbelt (From Oxford Mail)

Oxford bike fanatic Paul fined...for not wearing seatbelt

9:30am Friday 22nd February 2013 in News

Blackbird Leys bike fanatic Paul Booker with the fixed penalty notice which has since been withdrawn by Thames Valley Police. Picture: OX57480 Greg Blatchford

PAUL Booker got back on his motorbike and rode off after reluctantly accepting a £60 fine dished out by road police.

It was only later when he read the fixed penalty notice that he realised he was being penalised for not wearing a seatbelt.

Thames Valley Police has since admitted the error and confirmed the notice, right, had been withdrawn.

Mr Booker, a 49-year-old professional lorry driver, was pulled over with a group of friends while riding his bike through High Wycombe on Friday last week.

He said the officer told him he was being booked for having an incorrectly-sized registration plate.

“I wasn’t paying much attention to what he was writing, you don’t really, do you? I just accepted it.

“They were pulling loads of people over. I don’t think I had done anything wrong.

“There were cars going past with lights out but when I pointed out that people were genuinely breaking the law the officer didn’t want to know.

“I don’t mind paying a fine if I have genuinely done something wrong but to fine me for not wearing a seatbelt when I am riding a bike is ridiculous.

“I went down to Cowley Police Station on Saturday morning to see if they would tear it up but they said they couldn’t do anything. “I also phoned Oxford Police Station and they said there was nothing they could do either.”

The bike fanatic, who lives in Blay Close, Blackbird Leys, said it was ridiculous police were prepared to see it through to court.

He added: “It would only cost the taxpayer money and I would have to take time off work well to tell them what happened.

“I kicked up a fuss to try to stop them wasting everyone’s time and money.”

In response to questions from the Oxford Mail, Thames Valley Police admitted the error and dropped the penalty.

Spokeswoman Francine Rodriguez said: “I can confirm a fixed penalty notice was issued to a motorcyclist with the wrong penalty code – driving without a seatbelt – in error by a police officer. “The incorrect fixed penalty notice has been withdrawn.

“No further fixed penalties are being issued at this time.”

Mr Booker said he was delighted with the result.