Yes., I was prosecuted, and received a 2 year ban. I was breathalysed on my doorstep, and was tice over over the limit (I even had a drink in my hand while doing it). I was arrested on my doorstep, taken to the station, and breathalysed again, and that showed twice over the limit, and hour and 15 minutes after bumping the lampost. I was put in a cell, until they decided the reading would be low enough to talk. At court, my solicitor argued my case, but I was advised if i pleaded not guilty, my punishment could be much more severe than just a 2 year ban. A few of my neighbours had given statements which were frankly a pack of lies, maybe they were annoyed I was having a bbq with friends. The statements read more like something the police would say than anything my neighbours could come up with. "I heard a loud bang and I was scared for my life", "a man who i didnt recognise drove at speed into the lampost, then parked in the parking space, and walked off". They had me in a corner, so I pleaded guilty. In retrospect, I should have got a better solicitor, but it was a long time ago.

Thanks CardiffDevil, I am inclined to think along the same lines as you, and as I haven't heard anything for a month yet from either the Police, or my/their insurance company, I am going to put it to the back of mind and not think about it too much. I did half expect the Police to jump on it as an easy prosecution to get their figures, but maybe that was me being cynical. I am surprised it has gone this far really - how many times have we all returned to our parked to find someone has caused a minor dent or scratch, and not bothered to leave their details? In this case, I didn't even scratch either car. As far as I am aware, the laws of the road DO apply to private car parks and private roads where the public has acces. I bumped my car years ago into a lampost on my estate to avoid a cat, again, no damage to anyone or anything. But a neighbour saw, and called the Police. 45 minutes later they were on my doorstep, and it was my unfortunate luck that between the bump and getting back into the house and the Police arriving, I had drunk 4 double vodka and cokes (we were having a party), so they did me for drink driving, despite me arguing with them on the doorstep and in Court.

Hi While parking my car on 8th June, i touched another car while trying to get into a space. I looked and there was no damage to either car. I was trying to get into a space which is very tight but marked with lines. Its a private car park where tickets are usually issued if you dont use the marked spaces. The parking attendent, whom i had spoken to before shouted "dont worry mate, ive got your details and will let them know". I thought nothing more of it until 20 June, when I got a notice of intention to prosecute from the Herts Police. There were two letters, one said NIP for driving without due care and attention, and the other letter, which I had to sign and send back to the Police lists this as well as Failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and Failing to give my details. I dont know if the other car owner (who i never saw) or the attendent passed on my registration number to the Police. I dilligently sent back all the info they asked for, insurance details, MOT and driving licence, and an explanation that there was no damage to either car, that the attendent said he had taken my details, and that i didnt feel it necessary to leave my insurance details as there was no damage. I replied to the NIP from the Police on 22nd June, and haven't heard anything since. Does anyone know what I can expect to happen next? There was something about 14 days in the letter I had to send back, but foolishly I forgot to take a copy of it. Thanks.

My partner rents a perfect house on an AST with a great landlord, and has been there for years. We would not want to give up that place and move into the flat as he has a dog and is miles away from where we both now work. Its a right pickle!

Hi I hope someone can give me some good advice as Im making myself sick with worry. A friend and myself signed a joint shorthold tenancy on a 2 bed flat back in March 09, for one year, no break clause (i didnt even know what one was until later). Deposits were taken and checks were done etc & everything seemed to be going smoothly but just as I was about to move into the flat my partner discussed us getting engaged & living together. I mentioned this to the landlady, and she said moving out was OK so long as another tenant is found to pay my share of the rent. My friend moved into the flat we were going to share, I moved in with my partner, and I wrote to the landlady giving 2 months notice. I never even moved into the flat. Since day 1 of the tenancy, myself and my friend have been doing all we can to find a replacement tenant to take on my share, however it has become apparent that it is difficult because although the rent amount looks OK for the area the flat is in, the flat does not compare in quality to those of the same price in the same area. We have tried not to bother the landlady too much as she did not respond well when I gave the 2 months notice, stating she expected the rent to be paid for the full year and that I would continue to be liable until I or my friend find a replacement tenant. I have been paying my share of the rent ever since, but feel what I am trying to "sell-on" to a new tenant to replace me is overpriced for what it is - a part-tenancy in an average flat for an above average price. The landlady has not offered to assist with finding a new tenant. With hind-sight I was stupid for not comparing the flat price with others before signing the agreement. Any advice would be very much appreciated as it looks more and more aparent I am not going to be able to get a new tenant to take over from me. Thankyou, Mark.