Holidaymakers travelling this weekend - traditionally the busiest for Scottish airports - are being warned by the Scottish Court Service (SCS) to pay any outstanding fines or face the chance of being arrested at the airport and having their plans thrown into chaos.
Traditionally this is the busiest weekend for travel as the school year finishes and the ‘Trades’ holidays begin.
When offenders default on fine payments - despite warnings - arrest warrants can be issued and enforced by the police at all departure and arrival points whether you are travelling by air, ferry, bus or train. Defaulters, who have been fined in Scotland, can also be arrested at travel points across the UK.
“Jeopardising your holiday plans just isn’t worth it,” says SCS Chief Operations Officer Cliff Binning. “It is well worth taking the time to pay your fine before heading off on your trip. Most fines can be paid round the clock on our website.
“Anyone in genuine financial difficulty during the holiday season can contact a fines enforcement officer at their local court to receive advice and assistance on payment plans to get back on track.”
Unless outstanding fines are paid on the spot, defaulters can be arrested and taken into custody, throwing holiday plans into ruin.
Superintendent Alan Crawford, Head of Police Scotland's Border Policing Command, supports the SCS warning: "If you are intending to go on a holiday and have an outstanding fine or warrant, then there is every likelihood you may be stopped and this could have a serious impact on you and those travelling with you,” he said.
“I would urge anyone who is currently subject to an outstanding fine or warrant and preparing to embark on a trip to address the matter urgently to ensure that you are not inconvenienced and can fully enjoy your break."
A Dumfries man was recently arrested at Manchester Airport as he tried to leave the country after neglecting to pay a £200 fine for failing to have proper car insurance.
The man, who cannot be identified for data protection reasons, had ignored warnings to pay the fine after it was issued at Dumfries Justice of the Peace Court.
He was stopped by officers as he attempted to board the flight in England and was only allowed to continue on his way once he had paid the fine in full.
Another man was arrested at Edinburgh Airport for not having proper car insurance. The Livingston resident paid his £385 fine in full before being allowed to continue on his journey.
The SCS has a range of measures in place to enforce fines payment including arrests, clamping cars and deducting money directly from wages, savings or benefits.
One woman from Galashiels recently found her Mitsubishi Shogun clamped twice after failing to pay road traffic fines. On both occasions she wound up paying the original fines in addition to clamping costs.
All defaulters are issued warnings and given the chance to engage with enforcement officers before action is taken.
Fines collection rates in Scotland continue to remain strong and the latest quarterly report shows that 85% of the value of sheriff court fines imposed over the three year period from 2010-11 to 2012-13 has either been paid or is on track to be paid through instalments.
Most fines can be paid on our secure website www.scotcourts.gov.uk/payafine completing five easy steps using a debit or credit card. Only fines which involve the endorsement of a driving licence with penalty points cannot be paid electronically including some police traffic tickets and penalties issued by the Safety Camera Partnerships for speeding or running a red light. In these instances offenders can post their licence to: Scottish Court Service, Central Processing Unit, PO Box 23, Glasgow, G59 9DA or take it in person to any Scottish court.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
• Fine defaulters are not named for data protection reasons.
• A copy of the most recent SCS Quarterly Fines Report is available at: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service/reports-data.
• Many fines are paid by instalments over the course of two or more years which will affect collection rate figures.
• Most of the money collected through fines payment is sent to the UK Treasury under devolution arrangements set up within the Scotland Act 1998.