Thief-beating tank contained rebated fuel

22nd September 1972, Page 354

22nd September 1972

Page 354

Page 354, 22nd September 1972 — Thief-beating tank contained rebated fuel

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• An operator had his operator's licence for two vehicles and trailers curtailed to one vehicle and trailer and then the licence suspended for four months after he told the Scottish LA he had fitted a false fuel tank to deter fuel thieves, and subsequently used it for rebated fuel.

Mr D. A. Munson of Dyce, Aberdeenshire, was called before the LA last week after he had been fined £75 for using rebated fuel. Mr J. McRae, for Mr Munson, said that the tank had been fitted because in London Mr Munson was getting a lot of fuel stolen. Sometime later, however, Mr Murison had started to use the tank for rebated fuel. This had been done to increase the profitability of the business with a view to expanding it. The Customs and Excise had impounded the vehicle concerned and Mr Munson had refused an opportunity to buy it back for £1000. He was subsequently told the vehicle would be auctioned but by the time he found out when the auction was due to be held the vehicle had already been sold.

Mr A. B. Birnie told Mr Munson that he had seriously to consider whether he was a fit and proper person to hold a licence at all. He considered that the offence had been deliberately committed.

Two other operators had vehicles from their licences curtailed at the same hearing. In both cases overloading convictions were considered. W. G. Cruickshank (Transport) Ltd, of Sheffield, had one of itS Aberdeen based vehicles curtailed for two weeks and Mr H. Petrie, a timber merchant of Bridge of Don, had his licence for one vehicle curtailed for three months. Mr Petrie's vehicle, in addition to the overloading conviction, had had one GV9 issued because of defective tyres.