Convicted haulier Forest
Page 20
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for Hino
bows out to wife
)LLOWING convictions for drivers hours and records offences est Midland Licensing Authority Arthur Crabtree has refused to new the licence of a Willenhall haulier on the grounds of ill-repute, it has granted a licence to his wife.
Brian James Squire, trading as mires Transport, had sought e renewal of his internal aence in respect of nine hides and 16 trailers while his fe, Margaret Ann Squire, was eking a new standard national ence for nine vehicles and ten Fines and costs totalling ,015 were imposed on five of r Squire's drivers after violains of hours records and stance regulations.
Mr Squire himself was cleared 21 charges of causing drivers make false records but was und guilty of 29 other offences id .fined a total of £298 with 00 costs (CM February 21, arch 21, May 9).
In evidence, Mr Squire said at following the introduction the 450km driving limit, he had eated a staging post at Shares II and as a result saw less of e drivers.
On the face of things, there id been nothing wrong with e drivers' records, and as soon the offences were brought to s notice the vehicles were equipped with tachographs, he said.
For Mr Squire, Alan ,Bentley said the penalties imposed on the operator were in many cases less than those imposed on the drivers.
Mr Squire had a good record in other respects and had operated satisfactorily until being deceived by his drivers.
Refusing renewal, Mr Crabtree said he could not be satisfied as to Mr Squire's repute in view of the convictions against both the operator and his drivers. The drivers, including Mr Squire's own son, had been involved in an exercise in making false entries.
• There were extremely serious offences, striking at the very root of goods vehicle operation.
As far as Mrs Squire's application was concerned, Mr Crabtree said he had to consider whether she was a "front" to enable her husband to continue his business.
Mrs Squire, who holds a Certificate of Professional Competence in her own right, gave evidence that her husband would
have nothing further to do with the business.
Mr Crabtree said that in those circumstances he was prepared to grant a licence for one year. He warned Mrs Squire not to allow her husband to have any part in the transport business.