Stroke patient convicted by fast-track court over unpaid £16 car tax bill

A 47-year-old woman who suffered a stroke and multiple seizures has been convicted of keeping an unlicensed vehicle over an unpaid £16.67 car tax bill, despite medical evidence detailing her serious health problems.

The mother, from Wolverhampton, suffered a stroke in January 2024, leaving her with significant health difficulties. She has since experienced multiple seizures, memory loss and mobility problems, forcing her to retire from work.

Following one seizure, she was unable to walk or speak properly and was left with a persistent headache.

Her family stepped in to support her, but the court was told she struggled to cope with paperwork and frequently forgot to pass important letters to relatives.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) prosecuted her after discovering that her Honda Civic had been untaxed since April the previous year.

Her medical team submitted 14 pages of evidence explaining that she had been advised to stop driving until she had been seizure-free for 12 months. The records also highlighted her difficulties understanding that she was required to declare annually that her vehicle was off the road.

Despite the medical evidence, which stated that she had been left "very distressed" by the accusation, a magistrate convicted her of keeping an unlicensed vehicle.

The case was dealt with under the controversial Single Justice Procedure (SJP), a fast-track system that allows magistrates to decide certain criminal cases alone and in private, without a traditional court hearing.

Under the system, prosecutors such as the DVLA do not routinely receive copies of defendants' letters explaining their circumstances. This means they can miss the opportunity to reconsider whether pursuing a prosecution is in the public interest.

In this case, the woman was given a discharge by Gary May, sitting at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. However, the conviction remained on her record, and she was ordered to pay the outstanding £16.67 in car tax.

The case has renewed calls for reform of the SJP, which has faced criticism over its handling of vulnerable defendants and the limited scrutiny of cases.

Among those advocating changes are the Magistrates' Association, Lord Khan and Baron Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the former Lord Chief Justice.

The Government held a consultation on potential reforms last spring and has pledged to introduce changes "shortly".

During the proceedings, the woman had ticked the "guilty" box on a DVLA form. An occupational therapist also wrote to the court explaining that she could become "totally overwhelmed" by official correspondence.

The DVLA itself told the Government's consultation that prosecutors should automatically receive all mitigating information submitted by defendants before cases are considered by magistrates.

The case highlights concerns about whether the fast-track system adequately accounts for the circumstances of people with serious medical conditions, cognitive difficulties or other vulnerabilities.

The Johnson Partnership, Nottingham