A POLISH man had two driving convictions quashed after persuading magistrates, with the help of a friend acting as a translator, he had not meant to plead guilty to them.
Rafal Machaj, of Works Lane, Lostock Gralam, appeared at Vale Royal Magistrates Court on Thursday and, through the acting translator, said he had inadvertently pleaded guilty by post to charges of driving without insurance and a valid licence.
His friend said he intended to plead guilty to a third charge of speeding, but accidentally admitted all three charges as he did not understand the form, which was written in English.
Magistrates took a sympathetic view and discounted two of the guilty pleas after the defendant’s driving licence and insurance details were checked out.
For the offence of speeding, Machaj was fined £75. He also had his driving licence endorsed with three penalty points.
