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Firm was a front for disqualified haulier

29th May 2008, Page 22
29th May 2008
Page 22
Page 22, 29th May 2008 — Firm was a front for disqualified haulier
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Licence is revoked as director claims he ran the business from a day job on an oil rig.

ABERDEEN OPERATOR Oakmist has had its licence revoked after Scottish Deputy Traffic Commissioner Richard McFarlane concluded the operation was a front for disqualified haulier Ian Hendry. The company, which holds a licence for 20 vehicles and 20 trailers, has been disqualified from holding an 0-licence in any Traffic Area indefinitely.

In addition, the firm's former director and transport manager George Cran was disqualified from holding an 0licence for two years.

Oakmist had been called before the DTC at an Aberdeen disciplinary inquiry because of concerns over its connections with Norwood Transport and Ian Hendry.

Vehicle examiner Gary Hughes said maintenance was being carried out by Norwood Truck Sc Vans. Cran, who was in the offshore oil industry, claimed he oversaw the daily running of Oakmist from the oil rig. However, employees of the maintenance contractors had told Hughes that vehicles were usually booked in by Ian Hendry, and they had no dealings with Cran.

Payment for the maintenance and repair was made by Norwood Transport. Ian Hendry was a signatory on Oakmist cheques, yet the sole shareholder in Oakmist was Hendry's son, David, the company secretary.

Charles Hutchison said he became an Oakmist director in July 2006. In practice, he had been fulfilling the role of transport manager since June/July 2006.

Oakmist ran nine vehicles, but it was Norwood Transport that owned the trailers.

Since Norwood had accounts with several fuel and card companies and due to the fact that Oakmist had difficulty in obtaining accounts fuel, goods and services were paid for on the Norwood accounts. Norwood would then invoice Oakmist in respect of those payments. Cran said that Ian Hendry, through Norwood, provided Oakmist with 90% of its work. When he was working offshore, he claimed, he would ask Ian Hendry to help out in the office. He and David Hendry were Oakinist, and it was not a front for Ian Hendry.

David Hendry said that due to his father's involvement and difficulties in haulage, he hadn't wanted to be prominently associated with Oakmist.

Ian Hendry said he took a keen interest in the finances of Oakmist. He had a significant financial interest in the company which he could not take out.

For Oakmist, Michael Allan argued that the company had moved on since the appointment of Hutchinson, and Ian Hendry was no longer a signatory on the company's cheques.

The arc concluded that the trailers were owned by Norwood, and there was no evidence that they were formally hired from the company.

The vehicles were either owned outright, or were on finance guaranteed by either Ian Hendry and/or Norwood. Oakmist shared office accommodation which was leased to Norwood, but paid nothing for that facility It might well be the case that the company had -moved on", Richard McFarlane explained, but it was not in a position to get away from its origins or the continuing financial involvement of Ian Hendry


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