Old conviction costs new firm its licence
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by Mike Jewell A haulier which was granted a licence in September on the reputation of its director has lost it again after it emerged that he had concealed a conviction for VAT fraud.
Exeter-based Sumo Overland Direct Transport, which was founded by former Sumotrans director Thomas Carstairs, was granted an International licence for two vehicles and two trailers on condition that Carstairs and his wife Linda would have no Involvement in its management
(CM 28 September-4 October).
However, Western Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown has now revoked the licence because director and transport manager Andrew Williams failed to declare a conviction for VAT fraud when the licence application was made.
A Bristol public inquiry hoard how Williams was given an 18month jail term for several charges of filling in false VAT returns.
The TC said some Involvement with the Devon and Cornwall police had also been brought to his attention where numerous alleged offences had come to light. The company appeared to be using up to seven vehicles and he expressed concern that its operating centre in Heiden Road, Exeter was not being used.
Revoking the licence, and disqualifying Williams from holding or obtaining an 0-licence for 10 years, the TC told him: "You are the driving force behind the company and because you didn't declare the conviction—and by virtue of the conviction itself—your licence is revoked with immediate effect"