Police seize plane in Taunton town centre
Thread Starter
Captain Kirk makes headlines again.
Maurice Kirk is in trouble again.
FLYING vet Maurice Kirk has appeared in Taunton Magistrates Court today (October 13) after he was arrested yesterday outside the Market House.
Police charged the 71-year-old with "driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence" and "using a motor vehicle without insurance".
When asked to confirm in court if his address was Llantwit Major, a town in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, Mr Kirk said he would rather not as there were "more pressing things" to discuss.
Mr Kirk, who appeared in court after being held in custody overnight, did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned until October 26 at 10am.
Earlier police towed away a car and a plane outside the Market House in Taunton.
It is believed the vehicles are being seized due to lack of insurance.
Faults with the plane's trailer also led to its unplanned seizure at the roundabout.
A spokesman from Avon and Somerset Police said: "At 1.45pm officers stopped a car pulling a plane on a trailer on the parade.
"It was stopped due to concerns it exceeded the legal weight limit.
"One man has been arrested in connection with the seizure of the plane."
Police charged the 71-year-old with "driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence" and "using a motor vehicle without insurance".
When asked to confirm in court if his address was Llantwit Major, a town in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, Mr Kirk said he would rather not as there were "more pressing things" to discuss.
Mr Kirk, who appeared in court after being held in custody overnight, did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned until October 26 at 10am.
Earlier police towed away a car and a plane outside the Market House in Taunton.
It is believed the vehicles are being seized due to lack of insurance.
Faults with the plane's trailer also led to its unplanned seizure at the roundabout.
A spokesman from Avon and Somerset Police said: "At 1.45pm officers stopped a car pulling a plane on a trailer on the parade.
"It was stopped due to concerns it exceeded the legal weight limit.
"One man has been arrested in connection with the seizure of the plane."
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 18th Oct 2016 at 15:12. Reason: Change header to reflect broader upcoming news.
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I don't suppose that the police making the initial stop had ever heard of Maurice Kirk and simply processed him for the alleged offences. If it had been some 18 yr old without insurance no doubt everyone would have said 'well done'.
TOO
TOO
GASAX
He was probably stopped because the trailer had the potential to carry more weight than the Peugeot was permitted to tow. It is a 4 wheel braked trailer which can probably carry 3+ tonnes. The car`s max towing weight is probably half of this. This is a common gotcha if the BiB decide to pull you. It makes no difference whether you are carrying a 200kg aircraft or a 2 tonne one.
Once pulled over a simple check would reveal that the vehicle was not insured. As someone who regularly tows horse trailers, it is a part of the law you need to be aware of.
He was probably stopped because the trailer had the potential to carry more weight than the Peugeot was permitted to tow. It is a 4 wheel braked trailer which can probably carry 3+ tonnes. The car`s max towing weight is probably half of this. This is a common gotcha if the BiB decide to pull you. It makes no difference whether you are carrying a 200kg aircraft or a 2 tonne one.
Once pulled over a simple check would reveal that the vehicle was not insured. As someone who regularly tows horse trailers, it is a part of the law you need to be aware of.
Genghis - yes, he did. Someone should really commission a film...... He used to pop into the flying club when I was learning to fly in the late 90s. They don't make 'em them like that anymore.
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He did a FI course at Goodwood (not sure if he ever finished it), a mate of mine did some mutual with him in one of his aircraft, halfway through the radio packed in, Maurice reached in the back and proceeded to change the radio mid flight! A real character!
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There was a story about him pitching up at Bournemouth from France in a disreputable Jodel and announcing his presence via the radio as "This is Captain Kirk on the Starship Cessna"... Think that led to one of his many court appearances.
Read right through that but nothing really serious there.
Excuse my ignorance, but what is BiB?
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"I don't suppose that the police making the initial stop had ever heard of Maurice Kirk"
Taunton Police never heard of Maurice Kirk? You've gotta be 'avin' a larf, TOO!
His antics and his operations from Taunton International Airport used to have most of the Taunton Police occupied for most of their time!
Taunton Police never heard of Maurice Kirk? You've gotta be 'avin' a larf, TOO!
His antics and his operations from Taunton International Airport used to have most of the Taunton Police occupied for most of their time!
I live in the same village as Maurice and also tow an aircraft. The BiB came round, at my request, to approve the towing rig in principle. Their biggest concerns were towing weight limits (750kg on the Mondeo, unknown on the Morris Minor) and the location of the light board and numberplate.
Looks like the Cub elevators at low speed would cover the numberplate. Above 30 kts it would have been alright!
Looks like the Cub elevators at low speed would cover the numberplate. Above 30 kts it would have been alright!
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CJHants - my 4 wheel car trailer is plated at 1,000kg, more typically they are 2000kg and the Peugeot is rated for 1500kg. But given the man's notoriety I suspect they decided 'to have a look'. He must be very well known to everyone in law enforcement in the local area having spent the last 20 odd years winding them up.
Thread Starter
Kirk might be eccentric but there is no law against that.
He has spent more years on remand in prison than many murderers and drug dealers but has only ever been convicted of a few very minor petty offences that do not warrant a custodial sentence.
Had he been around in WW2 he would have been a hero.
Sadly the establishment has wasted millions on chasing him through the courts for nothing.
He has spent more years on remand in prison than many murderers and drug dealers but has only ever been convicted of a few very minor petty offences that do not warrant a custodial sentence.
Had he been around in WW2 he would have been a hero.
Sadly the establishment has wasted millions on chasing him through the courts for nothing.
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Just one look at that scungy-looking trailer, tells me it shouldn't even be on the road! Surely someone like a Vet who also owns aircraft, can afford a half-decent-looking, legal trailer - as well as licences and insurances! 
Thread Starter
I hear where you are coming from One Track, having lived in Perth for a couple of years.
However,unlike WA, in the UK a trailer does not need a licence.
Separate insurance is also not needed for a trailer or caravan.
(although I would like caravans taxed at £500 a year :-) )
Despite the trailers appearance it appears to be an old horse box chassis which is quite substantial.
It is highly unusual for such minor motoring offences to result in being held in police cells and brought before magistrates the next day.
Such 'offences' are normally handled at the roadside with a ticket.
However,unlike WA, in the UK a trailer does not need a licence.
Separate insurance is also not needed for a trailer or caravan.
(although I would like caravans taxed at £500 a year :-) )
Despite the trailers appearance it appears to be an old horse box chassis which is quite substantial.
It is highly unusual for such minor motoring offences to result in being held in police cells and brought before magistrates the next day.
Such 'offences' are normally handled at the roadside with a ticket.
