Hours, Records Offences Lead To Inquiry
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
CONVICTIONS by Braintree magis\--, trates for eight offences in August, 1965, led to the appearance of Mr. R. H. Argent, of Wethersfield, before the Eastern deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. J. Gazdar, at a Section 178 inquiry at Colchester last week. A written decision will be given.
Mr. Wingett. advocate for Argent, said his client had received 60 convictions between March, 1961 and April, 1964. The LA had warned Argent in writing last May that drastic action would be taken if further offences under the Road Traffic Act occurred.
His client had pleaded guilty to the eight offences at Braintree, said Mr. Wingett, all of which related to drivers' hours and the keeping of records, and all occurring in January and February, 1965. In view of Argent's application for a B-licence variation, also before the court, it was right that the mitigating circumstances should be explained.
Mr. Wingett said that a driver, Sheldrake. had been permitted to work excess hours on a Sunday, after 11or 12-hour duties during the week.
Driver Thorogood had not kept records of a journey to Bristol, for which he had received £1 in advance to pay for a night's stop at Leighton Buzzard. He had returned to the depot without staying the night anywhere.
Argent. said Mr. Wingett, could have put in correct records after the event, but he felt it would be an even more serious offence to do this. A competent bookkeeper;clerk was now employed full time and it was unlikely that any further records offences could occur.