Yorks LA refuses 0 licence to applicant who flouted law
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REFUSING to renew the four-vehicle 0 licence of Mr Lionel P. Golesworthy, wholesale potato merchant Ind haulier of Cardigan Road, Leeds 6, the Yorkhire LA, Mr R S Thornton, held that he was not a fit tnd proper person to hold lite. The decision is not to take effect until the period Wowed for appeal has ;xpired.
During. November (CH Vovember 29) Golesworthy 'leaded guilty to 57 offences ;oncerning drivers' hours tnd records at Leeds City magistrates' court and was irked a total of £1,460.
The LA said the chairnan of the magistrates had iirected that these matters )e brought to his attention 'rid a letter from the nosecuting solicitor, outining the facts, had been placed on the record.
Mr Golesworthy said he had been in business since 1966, buying produce direct from farmers and delivering to retailers, restaurants, etc.
He admitted the offences, committed over a period of four months in 1974 on runs between Leeds and South East England. Vehicles had carried palletized glass containers from Leeds returning with market produce. Golesworthy said there were delays in getting the loads of produce and he was under pressure to get them back to market for Sam. He had foolishly committed the offences, allowing drivers to have less than their proper rest and paying them extra. He denied there was any rate undercutting.
He had learned a bitter lesson and was now very strict on hours and records; the scope of the business had also been altered, his articulated vehicle disposed of and there was no haulage for hire or reward. The vehicles now collected his own produce in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire; the drivers were paid a flat wage and a commission on sales — not on the time worked or the loads carried. If the licence was not renewed he would have to go out of business as it would be too expensive to hire vehicles.
Mr Thornton said he regarded it as the most serious case that had ever been before him. There had been deliberate breaches of the law and also a danger to public safety with vehicles driven at high speed by tired drivers. The law must not be seen to be flouted and, brought into disrepute and the application must be refused.