Sternhaven receives posthumous fine
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• Two directors of the nowdefunct company Sternhaven, have been fined a total of £258 by Rugeley Magistrates for using a vehicle without an 0licence.
Sternhaven was convicted in its absence of four offences of using a vehicle without an 0licence, and four offences of using an 0-licence identity disc with intent to deceive. An absolute discharge was given in respect of the last four offences.
Christopher Cooper admitted aiding and abetting the company to use a vehicle without an 0-licence and to using 0licence identity discs with intent to deceive. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £54 prosecution costs. Denis Burns admitted aiding and abetting the company to use a vehicle without an 0-licence and was fined £50 and ordered to pay £54 prosecution costs.
Patrick McKnight, prosecuting for the West Midland traffic area, said the two men had been directors of a number of companies including D R B Metals, Royden and Sternhaven. D R B Metals went into liquidation in May 1986. Royden carried on operating D R B's vehicles but did not bother getting a licence immediately. He was unable to produce any drivers' records, It was pointed out to Cooper that D R B's licence disc should be returned to the LA and he replied he would do so inirnediatley. On 18 March, the vehicle was seen in use carrying goods and displaying D R B's licence disc said McKnight. The disc was seized and a large number of tachograph charts were found in the cab showing constant use since January.
When Cooper and Burns were interviewed by a traffic examiner, Burns denied he had anything to do with it or that he was a director. He had then left.
Cooper stated that the vehicle was no longer being operated by Royden, but by a new company Sternhaven. A subsequent company search revealed that Burns was a director of all three companies.
For the two men, Michael Champion said they were in severe financial difficulties. Loans had been made by the bank to the various companies now in liquidation which the two men had guaranteed.