Driver forced to sleep rough
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A TRUCK DRIVER was forced to spend the night on the streets of Dover after the UK Border Agency (UKBA) impounded his truck for 24 hours due to an ongoing dispute with his employer over illegal stowaways.
Leonard McKinna. who drives for D&M Fraser of Kirkpatrick Durham in Dumfries & Galloway, was not the driver in the original dispute that occurred when 20 stowaways were found in one of D& M Fraser's trucks last year.
McKinna asked UKBA to be allowed to stay with his vehicle after it was held at 2pm in the afternoon, but UKBA refused, even though McKinna told officers that the vehicle was his home when on the road. Unable to find a hotel room and not allowed back into the vehicle until 2pm the next day. McKinna spent the night sleeping rough.
"It was hellish the way Leonard was treated," says Margaret Fraser, a partner in the business.
To get the truck released. she had to pay UKBA an £8,000 tine for the company; £1,000 for the driver; and a further £399.50 for holding MeKinna's vehicle overnight.
McKinna's load, a food delivery for Marks & Spencer, was valued at £17,000. some of which was spoiled.
As CM went to press, t !KBA had not responded.