Convicted driver wins an 0-licence
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• A delivery van driver with a conviction for stealing money from his employer has been granted an 0-licence in partnership with his father.
Dean and Reginald Odell, trading as Angel Distribution, applied for a new national licence for two vehicles based in Altrincham, Cheshire, at a Leeds public inquiry before North Western Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth.
Dean Odell admitted that in March 1995 he had been convicted of stealing £605 from Booker Fitch Food Services. He was sentenced to 80 hours' community service and ordered to pay £200 compensation.
Asked why the conviction had not been mentioned in the 0-licence application form, Odell said he had misinter preted the appendix, thinking it applied only to driving offences. It was the only thing he had done wrong and he had been trying to put it behind him.
Odell added that he had pleaded not guilty. He had received money from customers and one week he was a bit short so he borrowed money which he had planned to repay It was not as much as £605, he claimed; the company had found out and had reported him to the police.
He was being backed financially by his father and would be delivering reproduction furniture for his current employer, Halo Antiques. Waterworth commented that a letter from Halo Antiques showed that the company trusted Odell.
Granting the licence, Waterworth said he was taking an exceptional view because there had been no further problems and because of the reference from Odell's current employers, who were aware of his conviction.