Where's the justice?
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Ihave just read with disgust your piece titled Crackdown on Cowboys (CM 13-20 January 1994).
In my opinion the sentence passed on Essex ownerdriver Brian Daniels was a complete farce.
I am managing director of a 12-year-old haulage company which operates 16 vehicles and 50 trailers.
Two years ago one of our trucks was stopped for a roadside check en route to Liverpool.
Its tachograph was found to have a seal missing and the calibration date had expired.
Despite explaining to the authority that a new tachograph head had been fitted by our engineer and the vehicle was booked in with an approved dealer for sealing and calibration, both myself and the driver were cautioned. I was subsequently prosecuted for these offences and my statement of mitigating circumstances was not believed.
And the eventual result ? A fine of £120 on each count.
Brian Daniels operated a vehicle in a dangerous condition which caused the death of an innocent person yet he was fined £300.
What has happened to British justice?
Eric Valiance, Managing director, EVTS, Poulton, Lana