25-mile Limit ,Case: Court's Jurisdiction
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HOWEVER much sympathy one might feel for hauliers affected by nationalization, the law had to be obeyed and licence conditions complied with. The Bilston magistrate made this observation, last week, when he imposed fines and costs amounting to £28 3s. upon Leslie Thomas Wilson, trading as R. L. Plant and Co., 611; Birmingham New Road, Coseley, for exceeding the 25-mile limit Without a permit. Wilson pleaded guilty.
The case first came before the Bench on July 31, when it was contended by the defending solicitor, Mr. S. P. Hathaway, that the alleged offences took place outside the 25-mile limit, within which Wilson therefore could not be tried. Mr. V: McKnight; for the West Midland Licensing Authority, however, submitted that the offences took place at the operating centre.
When the case was resumed last week, the magistrate referred to a similar case held elsewhere and said that he had formed the view that he had jurisdiction. Mr. Hathaway withdrew his objection.
Wilson contended that his traffic was of a type that the Road Haulage Executive did not carry. When the Road Haulage Executive's men were, on strike, the Executive was pleased to call upon free hauliers. He had been threatened, he said, that he would be " squeezed out" if he did not sell his business and it seemed as if this were now taking place.