From The Sun website
£25 fine? Let's fight for
it
By JAMES CLENCH
MOTORCYCLIST Leon Humphreys declared war on the DVLA over a £25 fine by
insisting in court on a trial by COMBAT.
The ex-seaman, 60, refused to stump up after failing to register that
his Suzuki was off the road - and stunned JPs by invoking the
ancient right.
He claimed that under medieval law he was entitled to settle the dispute
by fighting a champion nominated by the licensing agency.
Bachelor Leon said after magistrates adjourned the case in his home town
of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk: "Right to trial by combat is still on the
statute books.
"But the DVLA must remember it is a fight to the death. The victor
speaks in the name of God and justice so it's a reasonable enough way
to sort the matter out."
He said he was ready to fight with swords, knives or blacksmith's
hammers. Trial by combat was common until the 1300s when juries
were introduced.
Last night the Lord Chancellor's department, which runs courts, said it
would be up to Leon to prove the right still exists.
The DVLA said: "We are looking into the legal issues."