Decision is deferred
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• A decision on whether Bootle-based haulier Kevin Malone is to be disqualified from holding an Operator's Licence may hinge on further evidence from his former staff.
Malone, the former director of Transfreight Services, will face another hearing in late November after North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell deferred her decision. She wants to hear evidence from the company's former drivers and transport manager Elaine Lindsay.
Malone's repute was called into question after Transfreight's 0-licence for 25 vehicles and 50 trailers was revoked in July. This followed evidence that drivers had been interfering with their tachograph charts and speed limiters. Bell will now try to find out if any pressure had been put on drivers to falsify their tachograph records.
She also wants to establish what kind of link there was between Malone and Anthony Long, the former director of AJ Long Transport.
According to Malone, Transfreight was formed after he saw an opportunity to take over the work of AJ Long. He disputes having any subsequent business dealings with Long, who was jailed in September 1999 for smuggling more than 22,000 litres of untaxed diesel from Ireland.
Speaking for Malone, James Backhouse said he had concerns about drivers giving evidence as they might have "an axe to grind".