Hutton cuts fines
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Fines for overloading offences imposed on two operators and their drivers have been slashed at Bristol Crown Court.
Three Shires Pet Supplies was originally fined £450 for a first-axle overload. The driver of the vehicle, Simon Swain, was fined £250.
Durstan Plant Contractors had been fined £700 for a firstaxle overload and £200 for a gross overload and the driver, Bernard Morgan, was fined £350 and £100 respectively.
Prosecuting, Miss S Tregastis said the first axle of the Three Shires vehicle was overloaded by 340kg (9.55%) when checked at the dynamic axle weighbridge at To[martin. The first axle of the Durstan Plant vehicle had been found to be overloaded by 1,310kg (28.6%) and the permitted gross weight had been exceeded by 880kg (7.13%).
Judge G Hutton said he considered the level of fines imposed in both cases was too high. In the Three Shires case there were considerable and weighty mitigating factors. He reduced that company's fine to £250 and Swain's to £60.
In the Durstan Plant case he reduced the fine in respect of the first axle overload to £300 and the gross overload fine to £150. Morgan's fines were cut to £50 for each offence.