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Viking's fines cut

1st November 1986
Page 16
Page 16, 1st November 1986 — Viking's fines cut
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• A Lancashire haulage company which operated vehicles taxed at the private light goods rate has had its fines of 211,700 cut down to 25,000 at Preston Crown Court.

Viking Transport (UK) Limited of Longton had been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling 212,283 by the Chorley magistrates after it had been convicted of three offences of using vehicles when a higher rate of duty was payable, and one offence of failing to produce tachograph charts.

Prosecuting, Roger Lowe said that three of the company's vehicles had been seen by a traffic examiner displaying tax discs at the private light goods rate.

When a Director of the company, James Heaton, was interviewed he had admitted that all of the company's vehicles had been taxed at this rate.

For the company, David Fish said it was only appealing against fines of 211,700 imposed on three excise licence offences. It was a small company formed by Heaton and a Mr Bennett in March 1985.

Difficulties arose when they obtained a contract with B&T Ferries. They felt they could not turn the work down, but could not afford the road fund tax for heavy goods vehicles. The company was currently operating six vehicles, all of which were now properly taxed.

Fines of this magnitude would put the company out of business. Accounts for the 12 months ended April 1986 showed a profit of 28,608 which meant that the penalty was almost 11/2 times the annual profit Though trading profitably, the company had familiar cashflow difficulties and on October 21 its bank account was overdrawn by 227,000.

Reducing the fines on the excise licence offences to 25,000 Judge Michael Blackburn ordered the company to pay them at the rate of 2400 per month.

Tags

Organisations: Preston Crown Court
Locations: Transport

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