Danger absolves drivers
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• Eight drivers working for Cheltenham-based Ralph Davies International have escaped tachograph convictions after a court heard that it was simply too dangerous for them to stop at the required times.
The eight, who all carry foodstuffs through the Balkans, Russia and Turkey, told Cheltenham magistrates that the risk of hijacking in some of these countries sometimes forced them to keep driving to secure truck parks.
The court heard that Russia was particularly dangerous: six truck drivers have been mur dered there in the past year.
The tachograph charges arose out of raids carried out at Ralph Davies' yard by Gloucester police.
One of those charged, William Owen, described how he had been attacked and injured on a previous run and had to be flown home.
Owen, along with Michael Gill, Michael Morrell, John Excell, William Hughes, Michael McGuire, Alexander Henderson and Darrell Scarth, admitted to a total of 48 offences. They were all given conditional discharges.