Haulier Could Not Read : Cases Dismissed
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rASES against a haulage concern were
dismissed by Whittlesey (Cambs) magistrates, last week, after they had heard that one of the partners was unable to read or write. Gale Bros., Whittlesey, had been accused of making false statements on documents relating to the sale of an A-licenced vehicle, but Mr. R. A. R. Wade, defending, pointed out that the man who signed the forms, Ernest John Gale, was incapable of " knowingly " making a false statement, because he was practically illiterate. This submission was upheld.
For the Eastern Licensing Authority, Mr. S. J. Green said that on November 11 last year, an application was received from Gale Bros. asking for a special-Alicenced vehicle to be assigned to Fenland Transport Services, Ltd.. However, it was known that the vehicle was still in Gale Bros: possession on December 18, although the transfer had been completed.
In evidence. Ernest Gale said he and his brother paid £800 for their first special A licence in May, 1957, which was acquired from the Peterborough Engineering Co., Ltd. Three months later they bought a vehicle and special A licence from the same company and in October they bought a further vehicle.
They were told by William Henry Rose. one of the engineering company's representatives, that he could sell the licence covering their first vehicle and obtain another one for the latest lorry. Rose completed all the documents and Gale •' did not know what they meant, for he could read only the simplest words. He did not realize that he was applying for his vehicle to be transferred.
Fenland Transport were fined £5 on each of two summonses for making false statements to obtain a licence, and a director, John Martin Briggs, was fined similar amounts for aiding and abetting.