Driver is fined despite tax disc

A Kidderminster man said he became an innocent victim of the police crackdown on car crime after he was stopped and ordered to pay £200 despite having a valid tax disc.

Published

Adam Snape, aged 31, of Willowfield Drive, Marlpool was driving through the Horsefair when he was pulled over by a motorbike officer.

A check on the ANPR system showed the mechanic had no valid tax disc even though Mr Snape bought six months tax in September.

Mr Snape said the officer told him he would have to pay a £200 on the spot fine and would not be able to drive his Volvo estate until it had been renewed.

Mr Snape even got his wife Tracey, aged 29, to bring his receipt to the police officer who stopped him on December 22 to prove he had paid his road tax.

Despite his protest, he was forced to hand over the cash and was left without a vehicle to drive for five days over the Christmas period.

This meant he could not visit friends or family in West Bromwich area where is originally from.

On December 27 he went in person to the Worcester branch of the DVLA where he was told there had been a mistake. The DVLA returned his £200 and updated their system.