"Gross Discourtesy". Explained : £3 Fine
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AN explanation why the manager of the Bermondsey group of British Road Services failed to appear in court recently after a summons had been sent out, was put to the North London magistrate, last week, by Mr. L G. Hughes-Thomas. The magistrate's remarks about what he called this "gross discourtesy" were reported in the October 26 issue of "The Commercial Motor."
Mr. Hughes-Thomas said that the manager was away when the summons (concerning permitting a vehicle to be operated with defective brakes), was served and a subordinate transferred it to the legal department. It subsequently went astray. When other notices followed from the court, the manager was under the impression that the matter was in the hands of the legal department. An apology was made by Mr. Hughes-Thomas on 'behalf of the manager.
Mr. Hughes-Thomas put forward a plea of guilty for B.R.S. and a fine of 0, with £2 2s. costs, was imposed. The magistrate commented: " It is a piece of unfortunately bad administration." He did not hold the group manager responsible for the failure of the summons to go through, and added that British Road Services had just as much duty to the public as any ordinary person to see that its vehicles were properly maintained.