Permit charges dropped
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THE METROPOLITAN Traffic Area has suddenly dropped its prosecution case against two operators who were alleged to be working together illegally no overcome international permit constraints.
The prosecution case involved Ronald Georg,c Harding, trading as Rondi Transport of Forest Hill, SouthEast London, and GCS Freight of nearby Greenwich.
At the Inner London Crown Court last week, the Metropolitan Traffic Area's counsel Peter Testar said that there were charges on two dates each against Harding and GCS Freight.
On those dates, Harding had displayed an operator's
licence identity disc with intent to deceive and GCS Freight had aided and abetted I larding, it was alleged.
Testar said: -Lite a mi figein cut between the two derendents was that the company put down Mr Harding's two lorries as belonging to them, which enabled international permits to be issued in relation to those vehicles. Mr Harding was able to transport the company's goods abroad.
GCS Freight had possessed an international licence and !larding had only a standard licence, Testar said.
But he said that the Traffic Area wished to withdraw the trial proceedings against Harding and GCS Freight and offer no evidence, ic said: 'I he company, we are now satisfied, uses reputable hauliers and Mr Harding is no longer trading as a Ii aulier.
The case would also have lasted about five days and would have been a waste of public inoney because the -mischief"' had ended, he said.
And he also stated that the Traffic Area was aware that Harding laced other indict
e n ts which made its proceedings "perspective to seem small-.
Judge Suzanne Norwood accepted the Traffic Area's opinion, and the not guilty pleas of Ilarding and GCS Freight.