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Dangerous trailer coupling costs over £1,000 in court
Page 35
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A COUPLING so dangerous that a trailer was likely to become detached with "dire consequences" has cost the vehicle's owner and its driver £1,000 in fines and costs.
Tunbridge-based Sirti pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in a dangerous condition; the Barking magistrates fined it £600 with £85 costs.
Driver James Glynn of Enfield denied a similar charge but the magistrates found him guilty and imposed a 1200 with £350 costs.
Anthony Ostrin, prosecuting for VOSA, said a two-axled light goods vehicle drawing a two-axled trailer carrying a mechanical digger was stopped in a roadside check.
Raffle examiner Alan Munden said he examined the mounted tow-bar unit to which the trailer was attached—the tow bar was moving approximately three inches on its mounting points.
Vehicle examiner Peter Dornan said he had also noted three inches of movement when the vehicle was driven forwards and backwards. He added that the towbar was attached by three bolts on each side of the vehicle and that the holes through which they passed were worn due to the movement.
Ostrin argued that the vehicle was clearly in a dangerous condition, "The condition was such that there was a real likelihood that the trailer would become detached from the vehicle with possibly dire consequences," he added.