Records offences blamed on client
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• The falsification of tachograph records by Kirkpatrick Fleming haulier Kenneth Williamson and five of his drivers was blamed upon pressure from Williamson's major customer, when they appeared before Kendal magistrates.
Williamson (trading as KC Williamson Hau lage), Alan Johnstone, of Dalbeattie and Peter Caven, of Locharbriggs, each pleaded guilty to six offences. John Martin, of Annan and David Sloan, of Dalbeattie, each pleaded guilty to five offences. Robert Irving, of Annan, pleaded guilty to four offences. They also asked for other offences to be taken into account.
Williamson was fined £1,000; Cavell and Martin £500 each; Johnstone and Irving £450 each; and Sloan £350. They were each ordered to pay £122 costs.
Prosecuting, Roger Newsome said that following information received, police offices and traffic examiners raided Williamson's premises, where they seized various tachograph charts and other documents.
Defending, Jonathan Lawton said that Williamson had been in haulage for a long time and had an excellent record. He became a subcontractor to a major haulage company which had directly controlled the drivers.
If they had not done what was required of them Williamson would have lost his major customer. It was therefore entirely inappropriate that Williamson should have been targeted, Lawton concluded.