Go to jail, go directly to jail. Do not pass
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'Go'. Do NOT collect £200. This scenario, recognised with resignation by Monopoly players worldwide, may now become much more familiar to international hauliers who refuse to pay the unfair penalties imposed on them for illegal stowaways found in their vehicles, and find themselves facing contempt of court charges.
So would you be prepared to go to jail rather than pay the fines? Driver John Whiting of Lichfield International says he will if he has to, for one, and continues to maintain he will not pay the £8,000 penalty being demanded..
This case shows just how hard it is to avoid picking up unwanted human cargo on the way back to Britain and how inflexible the legal process is.
Hardly surprising, then, that other hauliers who suspect they have illegals on board often simply turn a blind eye rather than risk the fines.
But transport lawyer Ian Rothera is right to suggest this course of action is unwise. You face more punitive penalties—up to to years in prison, for instance—and you're encouraging the gangs behind the trade.
Your only sensible option is to alert the authorities and accept you will be fined. Talk about a rock and a hard place...
IlBuy a van, get a free car! This rather unusual deal is being introduced by one Fiat dealer who is offering a free Punto with every Ducato Maxi sold (see page to). But does this say more about profit levels on UK van sales than about the dealer's generosity? It will be interesting to see what the uptake is and how long this deal lasts...