Jones hit on unlicensed run
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• The use of an unlicensed 12-seater mini-bus on a local service between Llanfilan and Oswestry has cost Michael Jones, trading as Llanfilan Motors, and driver of the vehicle Sheila Watkins, a total of £900 in fines and costs when they appeared before the Oswestry magistrates.
Watkins admitted unlawfully driving a public service vehicle when not licensed to do so, and when uninsured. Jones admitted employing Watkins to drive the vehicle, permitting her to use it without insurance, using the vehicle without a PSV operators licence and using it without a certificate of initial fitness.
Patrick McKnight prosecuting, said the vehicle — a 12-seater Renault — was seen in use on the service on December 10. When interviewed, Jones said Watkins had taken the vehicle out in an emergency. Jones, however, was the holder of a Certificate of Professional Competence and the prosecution took the view that he ought to have been more careful before allowing the vehicle out on the road particularly as there was no insurance in force.
Defending, Andrew Townsend, said Jones operated a large number of buses. At 7.15am on the day concerned, he realised that he was a driver short. He was aware people from outlying areas relied upon the service to get to work in Oswestry and he panicked. All he was concerned about was getting a bus out to the people waiting in the cold. He asked Watkins, a parttime secretary, to take it out. There was no suggestion that safety regulations had been breached or anyone put at risk.
Jones was fined 2600 with £60 costs and Watkins 2200 with £40 costs.