Trade plates case: Bench thinks again
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• The use of trade plates on a vehicle used to tow a trailer was unlawful, three High Court judges have decided.
Lord Widgery (Lord Chief Justice), Mr Justice Browne and Mr Justice Bridge, sitting in the •Queen's Bench Divisional Court, ruled that the vehicle, an Austin tractor unit, was not a recovery vehicle within the meaning of the regulations governing the use of trade plates.
A recovery vehicle had to carry equipment for lifting disabled vehicles, said Lord Widgery.
The court allowed a police appeal from the dismissal by magistrates sitting at Blackwood, Mon, on March 26 of a . summons alleging that Pengam Plant Hire. motor traders and haulage and plant hire contractors, of Blackwood, used a trade plate contrary to the regulations.
The magistrates had decided that the tractor unit was a recovery vehicle.
Lord Widgery said the magistrates, having had time to "brood on the matter", had now informed the Court they should have convicted the company.
The Court ordered the case to be sent back to the magistrates for them to convict but made no order for costs.