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TC warns: Be alert to licensing fraud
Page 6
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An investigation into problems at a Lincolnshire company has led a Traffic Commissioner to issue a warning to his team. Dominic Perry reports.
EASTERN TC Geoffrey Simms has warned Traffic Area staff to look out for 0-licence holders who could he used to front companies for rogue operators.
It follows the case of Lincolnshire operator L&M Distribution (see Investigation, page 28) which was allegedly used by transport consultant Malcolm Plaskitt and operator Paul Oven to circumvent 0-licensing regulations.
Paul Oven Transport Services (POTS), had its licence revoked in January: a decision upheld by the Transport'tribunal. Simms says L&M Distribution was used to carry on the business of POTS "in a fraudulent attempt to overcome the loss of his company's licence".
L&M had traded since 1999. It took all vehicles off its licence in May 2005 with new directors appointed soon afterwards and applied to change its operating centre.
Simms says: "I shall he instructing all ETA [Eastern Traffic Area] staff to scrutinise the records of similar licences of a significant authorisation upon which very few or no vehicles are specified. It is absolutely essential for the protection of the licensing system that rackets of this nature are abrogated."
He has passed his findings to Lincolnshire police and banned Malcolm Plaskitt from representing operators in his Area.
Plaskitt says: "This action has been taken without any reference to me or invitation to comment which indicates a possible bias and clearly an unfair approach."
He says he is taking legal advice over the "unwarranted and unjustified" action.