"Help Me Fight an Unjust Driving Charge – Legal Fees Support

My Story: Why I Need Your Help to Fight an Unfair Driving Charge

I am currently facing a court case for a driving offence I did not commit — driving without due care and attention. At the time of the incident, even the police acknowledged that the road layout was a mitigating factor in what happened. Despite that, I’m now being charged and cannot afford the legal costs to properly defend myself.

I was working as a professional bus driver when the incident occurred. Unfortunately, my employer did not support me. The onboard CCTV footage doesn’t clearly show the moment of impact, and rather than stand by me, they encouraged me to admit guilt. I was told that if I accepted responsibility, I could be retrained — but I knew I had done nothing wrong. Under pressure, I made the difficult decision to resign.

Two weeks after the incident, I was called in for a police interview under caution. I was told it was just a fact-finding conversation and that I would not be arrested. I asked to delay the interview so I could get proper legal advice, which would cost me £1,600. The duty solicitor assigned to the case laughed and joked with the officers before the interview, which left me feeling completely unsupported and extremely anxious.

During the interview, I made it clear that I had stopped the bus — travelling only 9mph — as soon as I saw a woman step into the road from my offside window. Despite my efforts, she continued to walk into the side of my now stationary bus. I expressed how deeply sorry I was that the incident happened, but I was advised to say “sorry” in a way that made it sound like I was accepting guilt, which was not the case.

After the interview, I was told I likely wouldn’t be charged because I had already lost my job and was clearly distressed by what had happened. I heard nothing for months. I tried contacting the police officer involved multiple times in January with no reply. When I found a new job in March, I believed the matter was behind me.

Then, five months later, I received notice that I was being formally charged with driving without due care and attention. I had just one month to respond with a plea.

I lost my second job as a tour bus driver in Sussex because the employer couldn’t risk me getting penalty points. I found a solicitor experienced with professional drivers, and he offered to review the evidence — but the cost is between £600 and £1,000. Even now, with just days before the court date, the prosecution has only uploaded partial evidence. There is no statement from the woman involved — only from three police officers, none of whom witnessed the incident.

I’ve been advised to plead guilty for a more lenient sentence. But I am not guilty, and I want to fight this. I’ve already lost two jobs, my income, and my peace of mind. I'm 63 years old, and if convicted, I could lose my driving career entirely. I’d face higher insurance premiums and possibly a criminal record — making future employment extremely difficult.

What’s most frustrating is that I’m being pressured to plead guilty because I can’t afford to defend myself. That’s not justice. I haven’t been sleeping properly from the stress, and I feel completely worn down. My colleagues, who’ve worked with me since 2018, all say I’m the most careful, slow driver they know. I did everything I could that day to avoid the incident.

I don’t want to give up and accept a guilty plea just because I don’t have the money to fight back. I’m asking for your help to raise funds for legal support so I can defend myself properly in court.

If you can contribute — any amount — it would mean the world to me.

Thank you for reading and for any support you can offer.