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Plea of ignorance wins new licence this time
Page 36
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A COMPANY THAT operated without an 0-licence has been granted a new licence after it was accepted that the offence had been committed unintentionally.
North-Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney was considering disciplinary action against Sheffield-based SRT Storage as well as an application for a new 12-vehicle/12trailer licence by S Roper & Sons of the same address, Steven Roper, a director of both companies, told the TC that he had set up as a sole trader in 1995 and the company had expanded to run 14 trucks. He then formed SRT, which was granted a licence in 2000.
The firm had specialised in hauling explosives and fireworks but lost a major contract early in 2003, which cut £250,000 from its turnover. SRT entered a voluntary arrangement, hut the collapse of another major client in July forced the company into liquidation the following month.
Roper said that he and his wife were the major creditors; they were owed£135.000. He had covered Tom Macartney many of the debts with a personal guarantee and was currently £400,000 in debt.
SRT had carried on operating but Roper stressed that he did not realise its licence had automatically lapsed with the liquidation. As soon as he realised what had happened, he applied for a fresh licence. He added that he had forgotten to notify the Traffic Area Office of the liquidation because he had been under so much pressure.
The TC heard that if the new company was refused a licence, its workforce would lose their jobs and Roper would face personal bankruptcy.
Granting a new licence to S Roper & Sons. Macartney said Roper seemed to have tried to act correctly. The TC noted that SRT's history indicated Roper was capable of running a safe and efficient transport business.
He accepted that Roper had only operated without a licence due to ignorance — but warned that this excuse would only be accepted once.