Hard luck story fails to win truck's return
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A CHELMSFORD owner-driver's plea for the return of his impounded truck so he could continue to work once he had a valid 0-licence has been rejected. He had previously been convicted and fined for operating without an 0-licence.
Robert Essam's truck was impounded in January after being stopped in Edmonton loaded with tyres. Essam admitted that he did not hold a valid 0-licence and that he had not applied for an 0-licence,saying he had completed the form but not posted it.
In his bid for the vehicle's return, Essam said he was told he could use the vehicle as he was in the process of applying for an 0-licence. He was a sole operator and put all his efforts into running a business legally. The vehicle was taxed and insured and had an MoT.
The TC said it was clear that Essam was aware of the need for an 0-licence. le had not applied for one prior to the impounding but had subsequently submitted an application to the Eastern Traffic Area. Given this and the fact that he had been driving the vehicle for business use when it was impounded. the •I'C found that Essam knew it was being used without licence authority.