Decision delayed FTA chases tall rises
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The Freight Transport Association is
on Munro drivers
by Mike Jewell • The case of alleged falsification of tachograph records by six Allen Munro Transport drivers has been adjourned until 3 September by Ormskirk magistrates. The six men, with five other Munro drivers, were previously cleared of 34 alleged drivers' hours offences after the court had ruled that the summonses had been incorrectly issued (CM16-22 May).
Summons were then reissued against the six who faced the court last week.
The case follows a joint police and Department of Transport raid on the company's Skehnersdale depot. The raid was sparked off by a Sunday newspaper story based on a taped meeting between a Munro director and seven drivers (CM 26 Oct-1 Nov 1995, and April 18-24).
One of the drivers pleaded not guilty and he wanted to be dealt with immediately but the magistrates accepted arguments from Stephen Kirkbright, defending four of the men, that they should all be dealt with on the same occasion.
Kirkbright said that all the drivers worked for the same company, they were accused of identical offences and the circumstances were similar in each case.
The prosecution had wanted the magistrates to deal with the case of Paul Munro, of Maghull, who has pleaded guilty to two offences of falsification.
It was argued that this was the third time Munro had attended court and it would be unfair if this case was adjourned again.
No allegations had been made against Allen Munro Transport itself, so the court heard there was no reason to keep the cases against the drivers together.
Summonses have been issued alleging nine offences by five other Munro drivers. They are due to appear before the magistrates on 16 July.