CASE OF MATTHEW THORNTON

Early day motion 917, tabled 3 July 2000 by Frank Cook (Labour). Signed by 19 members.

That this House notes with dismay that Matthew Thornton of Billingham resisted a fixed fine penalty for not wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle; that having been found not guilty he was awarded costs to be paid from central funds; that Teesside Magistrates Court would only take receipt of the invoice from Tilly Bailey & Irvine if it had been settled already; that Mr Thornton could not settle without borrowing the amount necessary; that the cost of borrowing would have exceeded the ú20 fixed penalty; that the court taxation officer's duties would have required him to challenge the amount of time and travel costs claimed by the legal firm and possibly discount it in part leaving Mr Thornton to bear the differential; that this would have resulted in further unwarranted cost to Mr Thornton; and consequently calls upon the Government to examine as a matter of real urgency the circumstances where a citizen can be seriously penalised for being innocent and proving it.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.