Licence time cut
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• Sheffield owner-driver Michael Bracey had his operator's licence prematurely terminated so that it expires in six months' time, after admitting operating a defective vehicle because he could not afford to have it repaired.
North Eastern Licensing Authority Frederic Whalley has also directed that Bracey's vehicle be immediately inspected by a vehicle examiner to see that it is safe to go on the road and that Bracey should produce up-todate accounts within 28 days.
Evidence was given by vehicle examiner that he had imposed an immediate prohibition on the vehicle in March after finding 14 defects. In his opinion the vehicle had been in a deplorable condition.
Bracey said that he had held a licence since 1971 and purchased the present vehicle in May 1984. In September the differential collapsed and repairs cost £2,500. From June to December 1983 he had spent £7,000 on his precious vehicle. He was later off the road for three months after hospital treatment.
He had borrowed £5,500 from his sister-in-law and had spent £3, 500 putting the vehicle right. He was now working for Leathers Transport and they were including his vehicle in their monthly maintenance schedule. He estimated a profit of £4,500 a year on their work, based on estimated earnings of £36,500.
Announcing his decision Whalley said that Bracey continued to operate the vehicle when he knew it was defective and that was a very serious matter. There had also been deliberate neglect due to a shortage of funds, all of which were grounds for revoking the licence. He wanted to see a formal, enforceable maintenance contract with Leather Transport and would give six months to see how the arrangement was working.