New twist on Oliver drivers
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• Thirty-five drivers from Hexham-based haulage firm William Martin Oliver 86 Partners, who were convicted of falsifying tachograph records on a large scale, have escaped
with only a slap on the wrist.
The drivers concerned had been prosecuted for falsifying tachograph records, 34 of whom pleaded guilty to a total of 452 offences between December 1999 and March 2000. As a result, nine were sentenced to two months' imprisonment each and one to one month's imprisonment. The remainder either received fines or community service from magistrates. Two are Still to be sentenced, while one has pleaded not guilty and is yet to be tried.
The TC had reserved decisions over what action to take against their HGV driving licences at a hearing where he issued warnings to another 35 drivers who had not been prosecuted (CM10-16 April).
The TC issued the convicted drivers with a severe warning that further breaches might result in the loss of their HGV licences.
Consideration of disciplinary action against the Operator's licence held by the firm William Martin Oliver has been adjourned until June.