Consignors' responsibility
Page 22
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I ALSO share the sentiments of your correspondents Mr Mike Taylor (CM March 24) and Mr B. P. Palmer of Palmer Freight (CM April 7). I say the consignors are responsible for the items mentioned by these gentlemen.
To prove my story I wish to mention a case where the consignors were held responsible for offences committed by two owner-drivers of tipper lorries.
A demolition company had advertised in an evening London newspaper for tipper lorries to haul what they termed, muck away. These owner-drivers took on the work, and were stopped by the police in the City as they appeared to be dangerous owing to rubble dropping on the road.
The police then found that both vehicles had no carrier's licence, and of course charges followed. There were also charges against the demolition firm, for aiding and abetting offences.
The owner-drivers pleaded guilty but the demolition firm strongly contested the charges but were convicted. The magistrate said it was their duty to see that lorries they had hired were properly licensed and not overloaded.
I agree this incident happened in the '50s but surely it is still the law, as it was then. I believe this case was at the Mansion House Magistrates' Court and was published in the London Evening News.
GEORGE BLAKE Brentwood Essex