http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK...s-Nose-At-Wheel/Article/201001415537450?'Stunned' Driver Fined For Blowing His Nose
12:32pm UK, Thursday January 28, 2010
Roddy Mansfield, Sky News Online
A motorist has told Sky News of his disbelief at being fined for blowing his nose while his vehicle was at a standstill.
Michael Mancini had stopped his van in traffic and wiped his nose with a handkerchief.
When he moved off, he was pulled over by police who told him he had not been in control of his vehicle.
Mr Mancini, from Ayrshire, was handed a £60 fixed penalty and given three points on his driving licence.
He told Sky News: "I thought they were joking and that it was a wind-up.
"I was stopped in traffic and had the handbrake on and thought to myself, 'Ive just got time to blow my nose.'
"Then police pulled me over and I was booked. I genuinely thought they were joking, that it was a wind-up."
I still don't believe it actually happened
Michael Mancini
The incident occurred in October, but Mr Mancini has refused to pay the penalty.
His solicitor wrote to prosecutors earlier this month explaining the offence could not have occurred because Mr Mancini's handbrake was on.
But prosecutors replied the next day warning that if the fine wasn't paid, the case would be taken to court.
Mr Mancini added: "I intend taking this all the way to court. I still don't believe it actually happened."
A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "A 39-year-old man is the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in connection with an alleged traffic offence on October 26."
