Not an issue at all. The case would have been reported in the local paper, I'd simply have made sure a photocopy of the article would have appeared in every letterbox for streets around, put up at the local pubs etc.
Sadly that was not the case at all, because the police witheld information from me as to how the case was progressing - data protection!! This went on for months, after the insurance claim was settled on my car. He actually hit my car from both the front and rear, being so drunk that he went down the road, turned his car around and had another go from a different direction. He was so drunk that he couldn't find his keys to get in his house, so drove off again, which is when I phoned the police. The police asked me where he had gone - unbelievable!!!! That is when I went into my rant at them. The police turned up, knocked on my door and asked where he was - this was starting to resemble comedy central. He then turned up in his car, mounted the pavement nearly crashing through my fence, in full view of the two police. They interviewed him, came back and spoke with me, telling me that he stank of alcohol, was clearly drunk, but that they would have to take him down the station because they didn't carry a breathalyser - very strange as I had told them that he was drunk in my phone call.
The police didn't contact me so I asked for some advice about this on another forum and a solicitor advised me that I should quote the "victims and witnesses act", which I duly did, resulting in the police suddenly giving me information. It transpires that they charged him with "Stopped, drunk in charge of a vehicle", with no mention of the accident or damage to my car (front and rear bumpers plus bonnet).
I still have all the dates - back in 2006/2007 when all these incidents occurred, so I could get in touch with the local papers to see if it was reported. I assume that they would keep back issues.