‘I faced 6 months in jail for rude sticker on my car bumper’

A UK motorist faced the prospect of six months in prison after being sent to court for placing a rude bumper sticker on the back of her vehicle. Georgia Venables, 29, had a sticker reading “don’t be a c***” placed on the rear of her Peugeot 108.

Earlier this year, Georgia was stunned when she was stopped by police officers who claimed the design could cause offence. The case was put before Chester Magistrates Court where Georgia pleaded not guilty to displaying threatening/abusive writing/sign/visible representation likely to cause harassment/alarm/distress. Georgia faced the prospect of a maximum six-month jail sentence but the case was dropped with Georgia walking away.

Georgia explained: “I was told by her solicitor that the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case as they didn't think there was a realistic prospect of conviction.

"I am so relieved. I’ve been stopped over a previous sticker in the past and the officer asked me to remove it - which I did.

“But this time, I was stopped for no reason and told that I was going to be summoned to court.”

The 29-year-old claims it is the fifth time she has been pulled over due to phrases placed on her car.

Georgia said she has spent around £80 customising her vehicle with around 40 stickers now placed on the bodywork.

Some of the previous messages that had previously caused police to have a word include phrases such as “s*** box certified".

Another bumper sticker included a picture of Star Wars legend Yoda alongside the phrase “If my driving offends you F off".

However, Georgia stressed she had never intended to harm anyone and had simply added the stickers to give her vehicle "personality".

She said: "I put them on as I liked how they looked - I never put them on to offend anyone. It gave my car a bit of personality and humour."

After being stopped so many times, Georgia now feels she is being constantly "targeted" and has called on offers to “leave her alone".

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "We can’t comment on individual cases.

"However we can reassure residents that all stop checks are conducted fairly, responsibly, with respect for people being searched and without unlawful discrimination. All checks are also conducted in line with the national guidance."