Tanker firm may be sued
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A TEESIDE court has cleared the way for the Department of Health and Social Security to sue the former directors of a tanker firm for more than E24,000 in National Insurance contributions.
IVIAgistrates at Stokesley were told that a criminal conviction was needed against the firm before any civil action would be taken to recover the unpaid money.
The firm at the heart of the legal red-tape was B & M Tankers (Teeside) Ltd, which had its offices at Hunton's Folly Farm, near Stokesley.
Acting for the DHSS, Richard l'Anson explained that only three specimen charges of failing to pay £38.76 in insurance were being brought because that was all that was needed to clear the way for civil action against the former directors of the firm.
Mr l'Anson said the offences stretched over two years and concerned the non-payment of contributions for some 20 employees. The total amount owing was £24,237.
The company, which had now gone into liquidation was found guilty and given an absolute discharge.
The procedure now, added Mr l'Anson was for the regional office of the DHSS to officially inform the court of the bankruptcy and request no recovery proceedings be taken by the court. That would leave the DHSS free to sue the former directors for the missing payments.