Ace needs more evidence
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The bid for a new licence by Ace Commercials (Northaltenon) has been adjourned for the company to produce further evidence of its financial resources to North Eastern Licensing Authority Frederic Whalley. If the information is satisfactory Whalley has indicated that he will be prepared to grant the company a licence for two of the four vehicles and trailers applied for, but only for one year.
The company had been called to a public enquiry after its two directors and CPC holders, Trevor and William Robinson, were convicted of two sets of offences and fined a total of £1,000.
The offences included the fraudulent use of an excise licence, the fraudulent use of a registration mark, using a manufacturer's plate with intent to deceive, using a plate certificate with intent to deceive, using a vehicle without a plating certificate and failing to ensure the correct use of a tachograph.
The LA was told the two brothers had left the family business of Robinson Transport to set up Ace Commercials, operating alongside Robinson Transport, buying and selling secondhand vehicles.
The first set of convictions arose when a vehicle they had hired to Robinsons broke down. Parts from that vehicle were used to rebuild a second vehicle and the documentation was transferred from the first vehicle to the second. They had been misled by the provision "when the vehicle ceased to become that vehicle and becomes another vehicle in the transferring of parts".
The second set of offences occurred when the brothers hired a vehicle and driver to Robinson Transport without realising they required a licence of their own to do so. As far as finance was concerned, they would not have the usual haulage overheads as the premises were already covered by the secondhand vehicles side of the business which would continue. They would initially operate two vehicles and they were satisfied they could obtain sufficient container work for both.
Adjourning the hearing, Whalley said he believed the offences had been committed out of foolishness and ignorance.
He was willing to put those matters aside in the belief that the brothers had learnt their lesson but he was not satisfied that the transport business would be self-supporting and could generate enough profits to cover costs.