L&M four are fined
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• Newcastle-Under-Lyme Magistrates have fined four drivers employed by L&M (Staffs) a total of 21,067 for falsifying tachograph records and excessive hours offences.
Alfred Martin of Newcastle has been fined 2225 plus 235 costs on three offences of making false entries in tachograph charts. Quinto Greppelini of Biddulph has been fined 2375 plus .257 costs on one offence of making a false entry and three of exceeding 11 hours in a working day. Raymond Gilling of Chell, Stoke-on-Trent, has been fined 2105 plus 260 costs on one offence of making a false entry and one of exceeding 11 hours. Kenneth Wilkes of Madeley, near Crewe, has been fined 2150 plus 260 costs on two offences of failing to use a tachograph and one of fading to take the required weekly rest.
Prosecuting for the West Midland Traffic Area, Patrick McKnight reported that the offences came to light when the tachograph charts for a number of the firm's_ vehicles for June, July and August were checked by traffic examiners. Gilling and Greppelini had opened their tachographs and carried on driving without making recordings in an attempt to cover up hours offences.
In Martin's case there was also distance missing from his charts. The tachograph had been opened during the day so that no recordings were made and the clock turned back later to try and disguise the fact. An attempt to alter the time on the clock was shown on one chart by an overtrace. Wilkes had worked for seven consecutive days on a continental journey in order to get back to Dover.
When interviewed, the drivers said they had been "trying to get on and do a little bit more," said Mr McKnight.