PHANTOM DRIVERS ALLEGED IN 36 CONSPIRACY CHARGES
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ASa cover for the long hours worked by its drivers, a Sunderland haulage firm used "phantom drivers" it was alleged at a special court held in Sunderland.
Appearing on charges of conspiracy brought by the Ministry of Transport are James Raymond Dixon, of Beechwood, Sunderland, a partner in the firm of Smith and Dixon; Neil Coulson Whitfield, the firm's transport manager; and five drivers, Charles Mulvaney, Morris Hall, Kenneth Marrs, James Hamilton Robertson and George Nimmo.
There are 36 charges, some dating back to 1958 and depositions are being taken with a view to the men being committed for trial. Solicitor Mr. A. Hurwitz, on behalf of the Ministry of Transport, said it was the view of the Ministry that Dixon was the "brain" behind the conspiracies.
"Everybody had to play ball with him and if they did not their tenure did not last long", he said.
He went on "As the picture emerges, I think you may feel that there were a number of schemes to carry on business in an unlawful way. The motive seemed to be that the longer you keep people on the road, the more money you make. Over a period a number of devices were used to deceive the Licensing Authority".
He alleged that there were cases of drivers travelling for 20 hours a day, nine over the maximum laid down by law.
Mr. Hurwitz said that in 1964 when enquiries into the conduct of the firm were started, the authorities were completely deceived because documents were forged with the names of drivers who did not exist or who had no connection with the firm. "I will call them phantom drivers".
He said that one of them, a Mr. Bicks, had never driven and was unable to because of arthritis. He had been credited with several journeys. The hearing continues.