Hefty fine for illegal operation charges
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a A host of charges relating to illegal operation have cost Ilford-based Flowstand. trading as Southern Freight Services, £3,800 in fines and costs. The company pleaded guilty to two offences of using a test certificate with intent to deceive, using a vehicle and a trailer without test certificates and failing to display a current excise licence, before the Epping Magistrates. The company was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £800 costs. Prosecuting for the Vehicle Inspectorate, Anthony Ostrin said that the vehicle concerned had been stopped in a roadside check. A traffic examiner inspected the vehicle and found that the excise licence displayed had expired. An examination of the
semi-trailer revealed that the test certificate disc had expired. A closer examination of the disc showed that false figures had been inked-In over the top of the protective laminate. It subsequently transpired that the certificate issued for the trailer had expired 12 months earlier than was otherwise indicated. In addition there was no goods vehicle test certificate in force for the tractor.
For the company, Sheryl Jones told the court that there had been difficulties with regard to booking tests and the vehicle had been booked in for the Saturday following the road check.