Convictions prompt warning
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• Sheffield haulier Ian Smith escaped with a warning when he appeared at a Leeds public inquiry at which the new North Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority Brian Homer considered taking action against his HGV driving licence because of a number of convictions.
Smith, of Spill( Hall Lane, Stocksbridge, who operates five vehicles, had applied for the renewal of his licence. In 1985 he was convicted at Cirencester of driving without due care and attention, and at Stafford of using a vehicle with dangerous parts. In September 1986 he was convicted at Barnsley of using a vehicle with defective brakes and dangerous parts. There had also been a conviction for drinking and driving in 1970 while Smith was serving in the Royal Navy, before holding an HGV licence.
Horner commented that it was a record that at the kindest could be described as misfortune — but at the worst as irresponsible. Smith said that the Cirencester offence had arisen on a narrow road in rain and fog. He had not seen a car parked on what was a clearway at the top of a hill until the last minute. As he had pulled out to overtake, another lorry had come over the hill.
He had squeezed through, but the rear of the trailer had caught the car. The police had intimated he would hear nothing further. When he had received the summons he had pleaded guilty by post as he had not had the time to go to Cirencester to defend himself.
The vehicle involved in the Stafford offence had passed its annual test on the Monday and the trailer had not been uncoupled before it became detached on the Thursday.
A pin on the fifth wheel had sheared, and again the police had said no action would be taken over it.
As before, Smith said that he had not had the time to go to court and defend himself.