Weaver cleared on long vehicles
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• Wimborne heavy haulier John Weaver has been cleared by magistrates in the town for a series of charges relating to two long-length vehicles carrying steel.
VITeaver, who trades as John Weaver Transport, pleaded not guilty to two overloading charges and to two charges of using a vehicle when the back extended more than 3.05 metres and to one charge of incorrectly marking a vehicle when the width exceeded 2.9 metres.
WPC Ann Mitchener of Dorset Police said she stopped two artics belonging to the company, carrying steel sheets on the A31 at Wimborne, following a compliant from a member of the public. Both vehicles were abnormally long and wide. She directed them to a weighbridge and it was found that the weight of each outfit was over 38 tonnes. Notice of movement had been given but it was both late and gave an incorrect length of vehicles.
Questioned by Jonathan Lawton, defending, WPC Mitchener admitted that she had not measured the length of each of the tractor units. She agreed the vehicles were incorrectly marked to the front and rear.
A statement from the abnormal loads officer was read to the court: this said the length of each vehicle was 20 metres plus the tractor unit. Lawton said that the two overloading charges has been brought under Regulation 77(1) of the Construction and Use regulations which requires specific details of axle spacings and the braking system of each vehicle. No such evidence had been given.
Lawton also pointed out that WPC Mitchener had not measured the length of the rear projection.
Ruling that the defence had no case to answer, the magistrates said they felt a great deal of time and money could have been saved if the case had been properly prepared. They ordered that Weaver's defence costs be paid out of public funds.