Hymas nine hit on hours
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• Failures to take sufficient weekly rest cost Alfred Hymas and nine of the company's drivers 21,330 in fines and costs when they appeared before Harrogate magistrates, The drivers each admitted one offence and the company admitted permitting them. Prosecuting for the North Eastern traffic area, Michael Broome said the drivers had in effect worked a 12-day week.
Defending, Gary Hodgson said they had been engaged in the movement of coke in an emergency to keep a blast furnace operating. The principal director had been away on holiday and the situation had been misunderstood — the company believing that the requirements would be met if the drivers were given an extra day off at the end of the fortnight.
Driver Malcolm Meredith, whose offence occurred a fort night earlier than the others, explained that he had cut his rest period short because gales and snow had been forecast. He was given an absolute discharge. The other eight drivers were fined 230 with 220 costs. The company was fined 2100 per offence — a total of 2900 — and was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of 230.