Scanlink technician faces trial over Moody's tack's
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by Michael Jewell The managing director of Grimsby-based MD Moody International Haulage, eight of the company's drivers and a tachograph technician employed by Scania agent Scanlink have appeared at Grimsby Crown Court accused of conspiring to use false tachograph charts with intent to deceive.
Managing director Michael Moody and seven of the drivers pleaded guilty to the charge. Scanlink's tachograph technician Kenneth Greetham, who is alleged to have fitted interrupter devices to the company's vehicles, and the eighth driver, Stephen Allison. pleaded not guilty. The cases against both Greetham and Allison were adjourned until December for trial.
Judge Richard Hutchinson adjourned sentencing Moody and the drivers until the result of an appeal by the Vehicle Inspectorate against a ruling by Coventry Crown Court that a false tachograph chart was not a false instrument under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act (CM 29 July-4 August).
Judge Hutchinson warned that if the offence were held to be a valid one, it would be a serious matter as far as Moody was concerned. The fact was that he was the company's managing director and the devices that had been fitted would enhance his profits. Whether their fitting had been suggested by someone else had no effect one way or the other. It made no difference where he got the idea from: Moody was the one who was going to profit. He had the devices installed knowing they were illegal. The devices were used while vehicles were operating outside the UK.
All 10 men were remanded on uncondi tional bail. The judge suggested during the hearing that if the VI's appeal of the Coventry case goes in its favour. Moody faces a possible custodial sentence.