Fines for prison transport firm
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AN UNLICENSI.D coach company employed by the Home Office to transport prisoners around London was fined in court last week.
Camberwell magistrates heard that prisoners were driven from Brixton Prison to various London courts in minibuses which were not equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid equipment.
Department of Transport traffic examiners investigated, after complaints from licensed coach companies.
The court heard the prison department of the Home Office employed Embassy Radio Cars of South Ealing Road, West London, which, in turn, sub-contracted to Thameside Mini Coaches of Bern iondsey.
William Poulton, a director of .1hameside, pleaded guilty to 27 summonses including operating without a PSV operator's licence, employing drivers without the correct licence, and using a coach without a tachograph.
Poulton, of Bexley, Kent, was tined GO for the tachograph offence and conditionally discharged for one year on the other 26. He was also ordered to pay i'100 costs.
Embassy Radio Cars was also conditionally discharged and ordered to pay 1:100 costs after admitting eight offences of aiding and abetting Thameside.
Martin Bentley, counsel for the Department of Transport, told the court that traffic examiners stopped a Ford 17seater minibus outside Snaresbrook Crown Court, East London, on February 25.
"It was carrying nine passengers made up of prisoners and prison officers,he said. "There was no licence displayed on the vehicle, nor the name or address of the company.
"The minibus had no tachograph, no fire extinguisher or first aid kit and no certificate of fitness."
When questioned, Poulton said he did not realise he needed an operator's licence because he was working for the Crown.