• A further three drivers from the Dewsbury-based Universal Freight
Page 17
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Organisation have been fined for drivers' hours and tachograph offences at the town's magistrates. UFO and 12 of its drivers have already been convicted of similar offences, and ordered to pay £4,450 in fines and costs.
The company is appealing against its convictions (CM 3-9 Oct and 17-23 Oct).
Donald Charlesworth of Bradford admitted falsifying a tachograph chart, failing to keep a tachograph record, and taking insufficient daily rest. Mark Broadfield of Cleckheaton and David Hosan of Brighouse admitted driving for 4i hours without taking the required break.
Prosecuting for the Department of Transport, Stuart Layle said that all three drivers were employed by UFO, which had earlier been found guilty of permitting a series of offences.
Charlesworth had two tachograph charts for 14 October, one in the name of Brownbeck and the other in the name of Brian Wallace, the company's managing director. Between 26 and 27 October he was on duty for a period of 26hr and 20min. In November a journey was continued without being recorded, magistrates heard.
Defending Charlesworth, Stephen Kirkbright said that he had not driven solidly for 26 hours. He had driven off the ferry at Dover, having taken eight hours rest, but he did not take the further six hours required. He had falsified a chart because he thought he might run out of hours. At the time British hauliers carrying live animals or fresh produce were being attacked in France. Charlesworth thought there might be trouble on the French/Spanish border and he falsified the chart to buy himself some more time. Brownbeck was a driver he picked up who did some of the driving.
Layle said that Broadfield had driven for a period of 6hr and 10min without taking the appropriate rest break, and Hosan had driven for 6hr 3min.
In a letter, Broadfield said that at the time he was not aware of the tachograph rules and regulations. He received instructions while out on the road and he was only doing his job.
Charlesworth was fined £300, and Broadfield and Hosan £50 each. All three were ordered to pay £25 costs.