Overloading was driver's fault
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The company pleaded guilty to using a 32-ton gvw artic overloaded by 2 tons 4 cwt.
It was stopped and checkweighed by Kent County Council Officials en route from Stranraer to Dover with a load of beef, and a prohibition notice was issued.
Dukes transport inspector, B. Marshall, said he was an hgv instructor responsible• for the drivers.
He produced a series of notices issued to drivers reminding them of the law on overloading and company standing orders stating that carelessness resulting in overloading would lead to dismissal.
The driver had been dis missed, he said.
The meat was sold by weight and the customer knew how much was loaded.
The company had been told about the weight regulations on a number of occasions. But it was unwilling to write a letter admitting liability for fear of prosecution.
J. S. Kawton, defending, said the defendants had had to travel a considerable distance and their costs already exceeded the maximum penalty.
Responsibility for accepting the overweight lay with the driver.
The magistrates granted an absolute discharge but ordered the company to pay £10 costs.