Driver sacked on satellite evidence
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by David Harris • A Cheshire driver who was sacked after a satellite tracking system showed he was making regular 21-mile detours is to appeal against the decision.
Roy Hammonds, who delivered frozen foods for Iceland from its Deeside depot to stores in the North-East was contesting his dismissal for gross misconduct. From data relayed back by an on-board computer in Hammonds' cab, Iceland has accused him of making the same M6 detour on 22 occasions, then claiming the extra mileage.
But Hammonds, who says he stands to lose £10,000 in a company savings scheme, claims he made the detours on safety grounds to avoid Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria. The village has a 14% (1-in-7) hill and residents have staged protests about the dangers of lorries to school children.
Iceland says it would be unfair" to comment on the sacking and appeal, but says the Star Track satellite system is still under evaluation. Ten Iceland trucks have been using the GEC Marconi system since February. Route details and estimates of journey times are logged into the on-board computers which can pinpoint the vehicle's position to within 250 metres via satellite.
Iceland says the primary purpose of the system is to monitor congestion and vehicle performance as well as driver movements.