The "Good Samaritan" who possibly caused a motorcycle accident...

[ArrynField]

It was quite a trivial matter. A wonky number plate, expired vehicle registration, no insurance. He doesn’t comply and speeds off.

If caught and prosecuted at Court, maybe he would have been given a ban, a fine, points, as he was a first time offender? At worst, it might have been a 3-12 month sentence plus fine and points?

A do gooder Customs Officer in a civilian role wants to play Hero. Now he knows, playing Hero has consequences.

The Police officer wasn’t really going fast as I’m sure he was well aware of the risks.

Like Zelensky and Chuckster have said, they could have caught up with the motorcyclist with a home visit, which is often the case, if not apprehended.

Possibly other charges could be laid. Let’s see what the Police and Department of Justice come up with, possibly:-

Assault - Possibly if proven that the Customs Officers actions were intended to cause harm or were reckless

Manslaughter - If proven that Customs Officers acts were reckless or negligent

Obstruction of Justice - Possibly face charges for obstructing Police duties if his actions interfere significantly with the Police pursuit

Contributory Negligence - Cilvil charges could be bought by the family of the deceased if it’s proved that the Customs Officer was Negligent or failed in their Duty of Care

[Skyhook]

It was quite a trivial matter. A wonky number plate, expired vehicle registration, no insurance. He doesn’t comply and speeds off.

If caught and prosecuted at Court, maybe he would have been given a ban, a fine, points, as he was a first time offender? At worst, it might have been a 3-12 month sentence plus fine and points?

A do gooder Customs Officer in a civilian role wants to play Hero. Now he knows, playing Hero has consequences.

The Police officer wasn’t really going fast as I’m sure he was well aware of the risks.

Like Zelensky and Chuckster have said, they could have caught up with the motorcyclist with a home visit, which is often the case, if not apprehended.

Possibly other charges could be laid. Let’s see what the Police and Department of Justice come up with, possibly:-

Assault - Possibly if proven that the Customs Officers actions were intended to cause harm or were reckless

Manslaughter - If proven that Customs Officers acts were reckless or negligent

Obstruction of Justice - Possibly face charges for obstructing Police duties if his actions interfere significantly with the Police pursuit

Contributory Negligence - Cilvil charges could be bought by the family of the deceased if it’s proved that the Customs Officer was Negligent or failed in their Duty of Care

I reckon customs officer guy, is going to be looking at doing a 3 year stretch in jail, with a parole period, out in 18 months.

Let's see what he ends up getting.

[paddylast]

It was quite a trivial matter. A wonky number plate, expired vehicle registration, no insurance. He doesn’t comply and speeds off.

If caught and prosecuted at Court, maybe he would have been given a ban, a fine, points, as he was a first time offender? At worst, it might have been a 3-12 month sentence plus fine and points?

A do gooder Customs Officer in a civilian role wants to play Hero. Now he knows, playing Hero has consequences.

The Police officer wasn’t really going fast as I’m sure he was well aware of the risks.

Like Zelensky and Chuckster have said, they could have caught up with the motorcyclist with a home visit, which is often the case, if not apprehended.

Possibly other charges could be laid. Let’s see what the Police and Department of Justice come up with, possibly:-

Assault - Possibly if proven that the Customs Officers actions were intended to cause harm or were reckless

Manslaughter - If proven that Customs Officers acts were reckless or negligent

Obstruction of Justice - Possibly face charges for obstructing Police duties if his actions interfere significantly with the Police pursuit

Contributory Negligence - Cilvil charges could be bought by the family of the deceased if it’s proved that the Customs Officer was Negligent or failed in their Duty of Care

I wouldn't call driving with no insurance and speeding away from police trivial matters. If he was prepared to drive without insurance for god knows how long, then I'm sure that's not the only way in which he's flouting the law.

The lad should be punished for causing a death, but having the instinct to intervene against an obvious criminal should be a strong mitigating factor.

[Peaky]

Pretty sure the tampering charge has quickly been deemed an acceptable compromise between i) he needs to be guilty of something vs ii) general pro disciplined services sentiment. He'll get 12m max sentence and be out in 6.

Clearly it was a really stupid thing to do, but charging him with an offense that is surely only meant to relate to messing with parked cars makes it very clear that rule by law is now BAU.

[ArrynField]

I meant if the motorist had stopped when requested

I wouldn't call driving with no insurance and speeding away from police trivial matters. If he was prepared to drive without insurance for god knows how long, then I'm sure that's not the only way in which he's flouting the law.

The lad should be punished for causing a death, but having the instinct to intervene against an obvious criminal should be a strong mitigating factor.

[nivek2046]

Does a off-duty customs officer have a duty to prevent a crime or to assist a police officer in enforcing the law?

[paddylast]

I meant if the motorist had stopped when requested

That's fair enough, but as far our friend the good Samaritan was concerned, he saw only the much worse offense of not stopping under pursuit from the police and driving recklessly that puts everyone in his path in harms way.

[nivek2046]

What does "reasonably suspect" mean?

"Any person may arrest without warrant any person whom he may reasonably suspect of being guilty of an arrestable offence."

Section 101(2) of the Crimes Ordinance

[paddylast]

Sounds like another cost cutting exercise. Same as self checkouts. Arrest them yourself. Put out your own fire. Take out your own appendix.

[East_coast]

It was quite a trivial matter. A wonky number plate

There were two bikes. The policemen unfortunately choose to 'chase' the wrong bike.