LA says father was the problem
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• Manchester-based owner-driver Gary Somers received a warning about his future conduct when he appeared at a Manchester public inquiry before North Western LA Martin Albu Somers, of Collyhurst, holds a licence for one vehicle. After the LA had pointed out that the vehicle specified on the licence was registered in the name of Somers' father Patrick, it was said that his father, who acted as his transport manager, had given him the truck as a wedding present. Gary Somers said he drove the vehicle, but had not done so since his wife died last June. He wanted to start back at work again next month. Albu said the problem was that Somers' nominated transport manager, Patrick Somers, had a number of convictions recorded against him. Somers Senior admitted he had been found guilty of a number of red diesel offences and had been fined 21,200. He said the vehicle was used only on-site and that was why there was red diesel in the tank.
Asked about an incident when police found him using a vehicle without an Operator's Licence, he said that he had bought the vehicle for Gary's wife and he was driving it back. She later died and the vehicle had not been used.
The LA pointed out that if Somers wanted a second vehicle on his licence he would have to apply for a variation and it would have to be advertised in a local paper.