By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-03-10 11:51:09 | Updated at 2025-03-10 15:33:20
3 hours ago
A Ukrainian man has been convicted in the UK's controversial fast-track courts for not having car tax while he was trapped in war-torn Ukraine.
Marchel Kalynku, 38, received a criminal conviction despite explaining to authorities that he couldn't leave Ukraine due to the ongoing war.
The case has emerged as the latest example of questionable prosecutions passing through the Single Justice Procedure system.
Kalynku, who is normally a resident of Basildon in Essex, was taken to court by the DVLA after his car tax expired.
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The man now has a criminal conviction despite being stuck in Ukraine
X/DVLA/PA
Court papers show a DVLA officer reported the unlicensed Volkswagen Passat in October last year, which had expired at the end of November 2023.
In his letter of mitigation to the court, Mr Kalynku wrote: "The offence happened because I'm in Ukraine for the last 20 months and I can't get out due to War in my country."
A criminal prosecution was authorised last month, despite Mr Kalynku's circumstances, the Standard reported.
Kalynku submitted his guilty plea online on February 13 this year, resulting in him now having a criminal conviction on his record, as well as having to pay £189.17 in unpaid car tax.
The prosecution was brought through the Single Justice Procedure (SJP), a fast-track court process criticised for its handling of cases.
The Government is proposing changes to make it mandatory for prosecutors to read mitigation letters and check if cases are in the public interest as part of an ongoing consultation.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with the UK Foreign Office advising against travel to Ukraine.
Martial law is in place in Ukraine, with strict conditions on leaving. Official guidance states: "Ukrainian national and dual-national males aged 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country."
The car tax on the man's Volkswagen Passat ran out in November 2023
GETTY
"Once progressed to SJP, any defendant can request a hearing in open court, but for those pleading guilty via SJP, including those with mitigating action, are considered by a magistrate.
"These can be referred back to DVLA but whether or not to do so is a decision taken by the magistrate," the Standard reported.
