Yorks firm fined £1,200
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• I ulti -agency targeting of Dewsbury-based West Yorkshire Bulk Transport led to the company having to pay £7,216.17 in fines, back duty and costs.
The company failed to appear to answer three charges of using a vehicle without an 0-licence; two of using a vehicle in a dangerous condition; one of permitting a vehicle to be used in contravention of a prohibition notice; one of using a vehicle with defective brakes; one of using a vehicle without an excise licence; and one of failing to display a test certificate on a semi-trailer.
The magistrates found the charges proved in the company's absence and fined it £6,685. They also ordered the company to pay 1106.67 back duty and 1424.50 prosecution costs.
Prosecuting for the Vehicle Inspectorate, Richard Wadkin said the offences, committed between January and May, came to light following multi-agency targeting of the company because of concern over the number of prohibition notices issued and the
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condition of its vehicles when stopped in checks around the country.
Vehicles had been operated on three separate occasions without the authority of an 0licence. A police officer prohibited a vehicle and trailer at the side of the road, telling the driver not to move it as it was in such a state. The three trailer axles were corroded to such an extent that they were dangerous, and severe corrosion had led to the detachment of the rear axle.
The police also informed director Richard Hayley that the vehicle must not be moved, but it disappeared and was later discovered at the company's depot, said Wadkin.
The second dangerous vehicle charge related to a semi-trailer where the offside middle side marker light bracket was detached from the chassis and was only held on by the wiring.
Two of the company's drivers also appeared before the magistrates. Alan Watson pleaded guilty to failing to produce his tachograph charts at the side of the road, and was fined £50 with £50 costs. Paul Kendal pleaded guilty to failing to produce insurance documents and a test certificate, and was fined £120 with £100 costs. He told the magistrates he had been unable to obtain the required documentation from the company.
The company and two other drivers are facing further charges; they are due to be heard by the magistrates in October.