Heathcote go for trial
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• Eleven drivers employed by J&M Heathcote of Stalybridge have been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling 21,365 after admitting driving and working excessive hours and the falsification of tachograph records before the Dukinfield magistrates.
The company, director Michael Heathcote, and transport manager Brian Howard, who are accused of aiding and abetting the drivers to falsify charts, have elected to be tried by judge and jury at Crown Court.
Thameside Skip Hire, an associated company, was also fined £150 with 230 costs after admitting two charges of permitting excess hours offences. Four similar charges against both Bellrose and another director, David Knight, were adjourned until January 12. Fifteen other drivers have already been dealt with by the magistrates (CM August 23 and September 13).
For the prosecution, Christopher Worthy said that many of the drivers had said they had been under pressure from their employers to exceed the hours limits.
Some stated that they had falsified charts as it was the only way they could get the work done. Driver Donald Knight said that in 30 years he had never worked for a firm like it.
They were pushed from morning till night. When he rang in to say his hours were up he was told he was not pulling his weight, and if he said he had not enough time left to reach his destination he was told he was talking rubbish.
Counsel for the company said that Howard had been responsible for checking the tachograph charts, but he had been unable to do so due to pressure of work. He accepted that it was his responsibility and he was no longer with the company.
The company, Michael Heathcote and Brian Howard are each accused of 70 offences of aiding and abetting drivers to falsify charts. The company and Howard are also accused of 87 offences of permitting excessive hours and Michael Heathcote is accused of 92 like offences. Committal proceedings have been fixed for January 12 next year.