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Ringing the Dell on cowboys
Page 5
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le Hauliers using trucks to commit serious crimes in the North-West have come into the sights of the region's Traffic Commissioner. Beverley Bell says she has contacted all the Chief Constables in her Traffic Area to warn them of a number of hauliers who are using their firms to cover illegal activities.
Bell revealed the action as she revoked the 17 vehicle/17 trailer 0licence held by Victor Davies, trading as Vic Davies Transport, following his 16-year prison sentence for drug smuggling (CM15-20 August).
Last November North-Western TC Bell adjourned consideration of disciplinary action against Davies' 0-licence pending the outcome of the trial at Bolton Crown Court.
Seeking a further adjournment of the proceedings, Stewart Sutton, appearing for Davies, said that he did so on three grounds.
Firstly, Davies had been advised that there was merit in an appeal against both his conviction and sentence. Secondly, there were "ongoing difficulties" concerning the liquidation of the business, which was currently in some form of administration. Thirdly, a confiscation hearing in the Crown Court was fixed for December. Indicating that she did not feel that it was appropriate to further adjourn the matter, the TC said she felt that she had been as fair as she could be by adjourning in November Davies had appeared at a number of previous disciplinary inquiries and in May 2001 his licence had been curtailed to 10 vehicles and 10 trailers for a period of three months.
It then came to the Traffic Area's attention that he had been arrested by Customs officers for trafficking in Class A drugs and money laundering, and a further inquiry was arranged for last November.
Revoking the licence on the grounds that Davies had lost his repute. and disqualifying him from holding an 0-licence indefinitely, the TC indicated that should an appeal by Davies be successful it would be open to him to apply for a fresh 0-licence.