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Boss and driver in jail threat for false charts

14th October 2004
Page 37
Page 37, 14th October 2004 — Boss and driver in jail threat for false charts
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A WELSH haulier falsely put his name to one of his driver's charts to hide an illegal journey involving up to 20 hours working time.

Now the operator and driver, who both admitted falsifying tachograph records, are facing possible prison sentences after Wirral Magistrates referred the case to the crown court for sentencing.

Haulage contractor Richard Jones of Macs Gwelfor, Rhydwyn, Holyhead pleaded guilty to two offences; driver Thomas HaBaron of London Road, Bodedern pleaded guilty to 10 offences.

Prosecuting for VOSA, John Heaton said that on two occasions Jones had put his name to a second chart for the second leg of an illegally long day's duty when Halloran had done all the driving.

One of the instances involved duty of 20 hours and a journey of 910km.

Heaton told the court that Hallaron had admitted using a "sacrificial chart" to conceal full-scale deflections It was a case of deliberate interference with the tachograph from the outset, using a technique to circumvent the diagnostic feature of that particular type of tachograph.

For both defendants, John Parsons said that when the investigation started 200-300 tachograph charts were taken and of those only 18 of Halloran's charts had been found to be false. Jones had not asked Halloran to falsify charts.

The company carried loads for Royal Mail and for security reasons Jones was under instruction that his drivers were not to stop except at specific points. He also carried computer equipment manufactured by Dell in Limerick. which was imported through the Port of Holyhead. Again, because of the high value of the load, the truck could only stop at certain points. Over the past 12 months there had been great difficulties for drivers on the A55 Expressway in North Wales, with delays of many hours being experienced. It was particularly difficult for Anglesey hauliers.

The magistrates committed both men to Liverpool Crown Court for sentence. They were both given unconditional bail.


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