Following the decision of Dorchester Crown Court in the case of Regina v Dawe in November 2007, a number of people who were convicted of speeding through Chideock may be able to have their case re-opened and the conviction set aside.

Any person who was convicted in any West Dorset Magistrates Courts of a speeding offence at Chideock, whilst travelling west bound during the period 1997 to 2007 should write to;-

The Clerk to the Justices,
c/o Dorset Safety Camera Partnership
Chideock Project
PO Box 7300
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 9FB

To ensure that the correct information is provided any one who considers that they are affected by this matter must complete the form (click here to download form)

In order for the court to consider any application, it will need

• The name of the person at the time of the conviction. If the name has changed since conviction and sentence, proof of identity must also be provided to confirm that they are the same person

• The date of conviction and/or sentence

• Driving licence (this will be requested at a later stage)

• The court venue

The decision to re-open, or not, is a judicial decision.  Each case will be reviewed individually and may result in the defendants convicted of travelling over 30mph on the  A35 westbound in Chideock, prior to 2007, having the conviction for this offence rescinded and the related penalty points removed from their driving licence (if still valid). Any decision to re-open and rescind a speeding conviction will not affect the convictions for any other offences committed on the same occasion. There may also be factors which legally prevent the court exercising its’ discretion to re-open. If this applies any person so affected will be given a full explanation.

The process of re-opening a case is not straight forward and it may take some time before applications can be considered. If you submit an application but do not hear any thing from HMCS by 30th November 2009, please contact HMCS again at the above address.

Rachel Davies

Justices’ Clerk (East and West Dorset)