An 85-year-old man with Parkinson's Disease decided to give up driving after being caught speeding -- and landed himself in court.

Gordon Stables: tried to do the right thing

Gordon Stables admitted driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Banbury Road, Kidlington, last month and sent off a cheque to pay the £60 fixed penalty ticket.

At the same time he decided to give up driving and told the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which was renewing his licence, to keep hold of it.

But when Mr Stables, of Banbury Road, Kidlington, informed the police of his decision his £60 cheque was returned and he was sent a letter stating he would have to go to court to resolve the matter.

Mr Stables said: "It seems to me an awful waste of time and money. The police said because I had given up driving they couldn't deal with it, but at the time I was an authorised driver."

The pensioner, who has been driving for 55 years, said he thought the issue had been resolved when he sent off the cheque to pay the fine. He said: "It was not an easy step to take to give up driving but in the interest of safety to all concerned I thought it was the best decision to make.

"I am trying to do the right thing but I am getting harassed. It seems idiotic to the extreme."

Oxford police spokesman Vicky Evans said Mr Stables had been summoned to court because he did not send his driving licence to the payment office with his cheque.

She said the situation was further complicated because the pensioner should have told the DVLA not to renew his licence until three points had been added and he had paid the fine. Miss Evans said to comply with a fixed penalty, the offender must have a driving licence, which Mr Stables no longer has.

She said the matter had to be heard by a magistrates' court, where he would receive a fine.

But she added: "He does not have to attend court. He can plead guilty by post when he receives his summons.

"Unfortunately this is the legal system and there is nothing that can be done about it."