A HAKIN man’s long-running legal battle over road traffic convictions has been delayed again after a judge granted the Crown Prosecution Service more time to review the latest legal guidance on motor insurance law.

Seventy-six-year-old Niall Taylor, of Haven Drive, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Jan 13) for a mention hearing in his appeal against conviction.

Taylor is challenging findings that he drove without a valid licence and without insurance.

The case has already followed an unusual procedural route. Taylor initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea part-way through the original magistrates’ court trial. That later raised questions over whether the plea had been “equivocal”, prompting the court to reopen proceedings under Section 142 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.

A full rehearing was ordered, during which Taylor again entered not guilty pleas. Following a trial of the facts, magistrates found him guilty and sentenced him on Wednesday (Dec 3).

He has since lodged an appeal.

CPS given 28 days

During Tuesday’s hearing, His Honour Judge Walters granted counsel for the Crown Prosecution Service 28 days to review Wilkinson’s Road Traffic Offences (32nd Edition), the leading legal reference text used by courts and practitioners in road traffic cases.

The judge indicated that the legal position surrounding insurance cover may still require closer examination.

Addressing the court, Judge Walters said: “The court still might want to reconsider the sentence even if the insurance company is right. It does look as if different insurance companies do things in different ways.”

He added: “It is not in fact void, but it is voidable.”

Ongoing dispute

Taylor maintains that although there were administrative issues with his driving licence, a valid insurance policy was in force at the time and that, under retained European motor insurance law, third-party cover cannot simply be voided.

He argues that the matter amounts to a technical breach rather than deliberate offending.

Next hearing

The appeal is now scheduled to return to Swansea Crown Court on March 27, when further legal argument is expected.

Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.

Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.

Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.

Magistrates add hours after missed appointments

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.

Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.

Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.