Enforcing a Possessory Title to a Stolen Car

Extract

Jason Costello, who made “something of a living” by doing up and selling cars, was found by the Police in possession of a turbo-charged Ford Escort. Although he was the car’s registered keeper, the Police (rightly) suspected that it was stolen. They seized it under section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (“PACE”). In this they acted lawfully. They questioned Costello but never actually prosecuted him—despite the original vehicle identification and engine numbers’ having been ground off; Costello’s having acquired the car through a “friend” with multiple convictions for handling stolen cars; and his keeping a “car ringing kit” for forging registration numbers under the back seat.