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Company loses licence because of unpaid fines

4th April 2002, Page 19
4th April 2002
Page 19
Page 19, 4th April 2002 — Company loses licence because of unpaid fines
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McFletch Hire Services of Halstead has had its Operator's Licence revoked and the :ompany and its sole direc tor and shareholder, Christopher Fletcher. have been disqualified indefinitely From holding an 0-licence because of unpaid fines.

The company, which holds a licence for five vehicles, had been called before Eastern Traffic Commissioner Geoffrey Simms at a Cambridge disciplinary inquiry.

The TC said that Essex police had opposed the company's initial licence application on the grounds that Fletcher had a drink-drive conviction. Simms did not consider that serious enough to justify refusing the application, but then further information was received from the police that Fletcher owed more than 131,000 in unpaid fines and an arrangement had been made for payments of 1200 a month. For the company, Doug Sturman questioned Simms' right to demand details of directors personal debts or to make findings relating to a company's fitness on such grounds. The notification of the unpaid fines might have put Essex police in breach of the Data Protection Act and

it might be unsafe for the TC

to make a finding upon evidence unlawfully obtained, added Sturman.

Christopher Fletcher is no longer a ra person to hold an Operator's Licence on the grounds that he has failed to pay fines imposed by the magistrates," said Simms. "As he is the sole director and sole shareholder of the operator, McFletch Hire Services can no longer meet the requirement of fitness."

Having considered the financial evidence Simms said he could not be satisfied that the company had the financial resources to maintain its vehicles properly.

The TC said that the reason for a finding against fitnessthe unpaid fines— was likely to persist. Over 12 years would have to pass before the fines were paid at the current rate. "It is therefore appropriate to disqualify both Christopher Fletcher and his company, McFletch Hire Services, for an indefinite period," he said.


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