14 Jan 2011 4:52 PM:
This is a terrible situation to be in, Julie, but unfortunately I don't think there is much you can do about it, except write it off as a bad experience, and somethig to learn by!
The police would probably say that the damage was caused prior to them taking the bike - in fact, they would probably use the excuse that because the bike was damaged they thought it had been abandoned! Unless you could prove otherwise you'd be scuppered.
Sorry it's not good news
I had an even worse experience than this many years ago when my very expensive bike was stolen from outside a hotel on Costa del Sol. I was actually on the balcony of a hotel at the time and heard the bike starting up - I jumped up and shouted for the thief to get off my bike and the man turned and shouted "no - it's a my bike" before riding it away! I went to the police who were less than helpful and after spending many hours in the police station they finally took my report. I then discovered that my insurance didn't cover me for theft in Spain, only third party. I had effectively lost £15k (3 million pesetas in the day!). Despite some bystanders/tourists actually vidoe-taping the theft and providing me with the evidence of the thief there was no arrest ever made. Even after reporting it to the police, when I HPi'd the bike on my return home, it was not even registered stolen on the database!
Then guess who ended up riding my bike, albeit with a new registration number???? A very high ranking police officer!!!! Unbelievable, but true. I don't suppose all police are as bad as each other, but back in the day I certainly thought they were!
This message was last edited by buzylizzie on 14/01/2011.
Thread:
legal advice sought
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