Fines to go up by £15 to compensate victims of serious crime
Published: 9th March 2007
Category: Schemes & Plans, Fines & Points
Reader's Rage: [60votes]

From April 2007 all "serious" prosecutions heard in a court of law would incur an £15 surcharge if the defendant is found guilty. This includes prosecutions for speeding as well as what most people would consider serious offenses such as violence.

The scheme was created to provide compensation to victims of crime, but with speeding if there was no accident there is no victim to this apparent crime. The RAC said "It does not seem fair that someone who has killed or murdered should pay the same surcharge as somebody who, at 1am with nobody around, has gone 5mph over the limit".

But it won't end there. At a later date the surcharge will be added to fixed penalties that do not end up going to court.

Our comment: Drivers exceeding the speed limit will have to compensate victims of robbers and murderers. Where is the logic and justice in that?

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