Sep 5 2007

by Gemma Williams, South Wales Echo

A PEDESTRIAN knocked down by a South Wales Police patrol car was given an  £80 fine – for denting it.

Businessman Daniel Horne was walking home when the marked police car mounted the pavement and crushed his foot under the wheel.

The apologetic Pc took him to hospital for three hours’ treatment to his broken foot – but then hit him with the  £80 fixed penalty ticket for damage to the police car.

The fine ticket reads: “You ran into the nearside front wing of a marked police vehicle, causing a dent.”

Daniel, 28, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes. It is a complete joke – who the hell would run into a police car made out of solid metal?

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Sep 5 2007

by Gemma Williams, South Wales Echo

A PEDESTRIAN knocked down by a South Wales Police patrol car was given an  £80 fine – for denting it.

Businessman Daniel Horne was walking home when the marked police car mounted the pavement and crushed his foot under the wheel.

The apologetic Pc took him to hospital for three hours’ treatment to his broken foot – but then hit him with the  £80 fixed penalty ticket for damage to the police car.

The fine ticket reads: “You ran into the nearside front wing of a marked police vehicle, causing a dent.”

Daniel, 28, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes. It is a complete joke – who the hell would run into a police car made out of solid metal?

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“I was in agony with my foot broken in bits and I end up being fined for my body damaging the police car!”

Daniel, who runs a courier firm, was injured on his way home from a night out with friends in Beddau.

His friend’s car had a flat tyre, they pulled over and left the hazard lights flashing as they walked along a quiet village road for help.

Daniel said: “Apparently somebody saw us and thought we were dumping the car and rang the police. I was just walking along and heard the police car siren coming behind us. The car came onto the pavement to stop us.

“The car hit my right leg and I fell over – with my foot crushed under the front wheel of the patrol car.

“It was agony and my foot was in a hell of a state. We said we were innocent and they quickly found out we were telling the truth.”

The police driver took Daniel to hospital.

“My metatarsal was crushed and I was put in a cast,” Daniel added.

“He gave me a lift back but then told me ‘Sorry, but I’ve got to do this to cover myself.’ I was amazed when he issued me with the  £80 fixed penalty notice.

“I was speechless when he wrote out that I ran into a police vehicle causing a dent. It is just crazy.”

Daniel, of Llanharry, is still in a cast nine weeks after his injury. He said: “The doctors told me my foot is still in a terrible state.”

He has been unable to work since the accident and plans to sue the police.

Daniel said: “There is no way I’m going to pay the fine. I’ve spoken to my solicitor and I’m going to fight it all the way.”

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: “A fixed penalty was issued for criminal damage. We have received a complaint from Mr Horne and are looking into it.”