Tricentrol fined for brake defect
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k LEADING COACH dealer which knowlingly sold a secondLand coach with a badly defective braking system was fined :100 in Dunstable magistrates' court. Tricentrol Ltd pleaded milty to selling the coach, a 1973 Ford R1114 with a Moseley 2aetano body, in an unroadworthy condition.
Manuel Hilldrup, proprietor )f Gemini Coaches of Great 17.anfield, near Great Dunmow, ssex, had bought the coach mm Tricentrol for £14,000 on priI 26, 1979, having been told had just been serviced. The ollowing day the unladen oath failed to stop and colded with a bus in Bishop's tortford. The Department of 'ransport vehicle examiner /wounded the coach and pund the braking system to be a "poor" condition.
Prosecuting, Dr Richard roldsmith said the faults inluded severe brake fluid leaks :•om the wheel cylinders, saturated linings, scored brake drums, and linings worn below the rivet heads. When the coach was jacked up and the handbrake applied, the rear wheels could still be turned by hand. Dr Goldsmith said the vehicle examiner believed that the defects were of "a longstanding nature."
Defending Tricentrol, Mr Simon Jones told the magistrates that the poor state of the brakes had been pointed out to Mr Hilldrup before he bought the coach, and the price reflected this.
The company was under the impression that he was willing to take the vehicle in this condition. But Tricentrol now realised it was an offence to sell a coach in this unroadworthy condition and, admitted Mr Jones, because ignorance of the law was no defence, the company pleaded guilty. In mitigation he said Tricentrol's policy was now changed and every coach is fully serviced and road-tested.
Tricentrol was fined E100 with £10 costs.