Protest three lose appeal
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The three hauliers convicted for blocking the M1 during a Trans-Action protest last April have lost their appeals.
Gary and Karl Donaldson from Finedon Bulk Haulage and Joe Cook from Joe Cook Transport had their convictions upheld by a judge at Aylesbury Crown Court last week. They now face legal costs of more than £1,000 each including the original £100 fine for their convictions last November in Milton Keynes Magistrates Court.
They had been convicted for driving with
out reasonable consideration for other road users while on their way to Park Lane, London for a national day of protest at the government's tax policy in April 1999. "We tried to argue that our actions didn't inconvenience anyone but the judge didn't believe us,says Gary Donaldson, who is furious at the decision. "It ought to be pressed further but we are a small family firm and we cannot afford it. We are out of pocket from all the protest action by about £12.000."
Donaldson is also angry about what he sees as a lack of support from Trans-Action: "I've stood by Trans-Action through thick and thin so they should have shown up," he says.
Joe Cook says the ruling has made him more determined to take part in stronger action against the government's fuel policy. "A lot more people are going to go out of business after the next Budget," he warns.