Stevensons fined for licence conviction
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STEVENSONS of Uttoxeter Ltd and its managing director, Julian Peddle, were each fined 1:75 and ordered to pay £59 costs when they were convicted of aiding and abetting Brian Pedley to use a vehicle without a PSV operator's licence by the Rugeley magistrates.
Pedley, or Norton Canes, Staffordshire, was tined 05 with 1:59 costs for operating the vehicle without a licence.
Allegations that Pedley had used an 0-licence disc with intent to deceive, with the company and Peddle aiding and abetting him in that offence, were dismissed by the magistrates.
Traffic examiners stopped one of Stevenson's vehicles, driven by Pedley and carrying women to a biscuit factory. It became clear that Pedley was working for himself and not Stevensons. Arrangements had been made by Ann Till for the carriage of the women; she collected 1:1.25 from each passenger each evening and paid it to Pedley.
Pedley said he had an agreement with Stevensons to self drive or hire a vehicle and driver to get the women to work. Ile had believed that the vehicle was covered by Stevenson's licence. He had contracted with the women on Stevenson's behalf.
Questioned by Patrick McKnight, prosecuting Pedley agreed that the vehicle was in his possession under a hiring agreement. He agreed that it was a term of the
contract that he or his drivers would drive the vehicle.
He had not referred to the agreement when he was interviewed as he had never been asked, and he denied that the written contract had been drawn up after the investigation began.
Richard I lackett, Stevenson's commercial manager said he had drawn up the agreement and his prime concern had been to ensure that the company retained the control over the vehicle. As a company it was responsible for the vehicle and Pedley was effectively being employed as a driver.
Peddle said Stevensons' an nual turnover was million so Pedley's business was not that important to it.