Detailed investigation leads to 0-licence disqualification
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By Chris Tindall AN OPERATOR has been disqualified from possessing an 0-licence after an anonymous tip-off led to an investigation, which proved he was letting a friend use his licence disc.
Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown described the activity by Kevin Scott as striking "at the very heart of the operator licensing system", and found that he deserved to be put out of business.
Scott held a licence authorising the use of three vehicles from premises in South Woodford, London. He had been approached by the husband of haulage operator Joanna Lazenby and they made a "loose business arrangement" regarding the use of Scott's disc. At a public inquiry held in Eastbourne, Scott said he was also director of another firm, HCT Haulage, which has a licence to run 13 vehicles from the same South Woodford address.
He claimed that he took instructions from the company, but following further questioning, it transpired that he had control of HC-1' Haulage's licence activities as well.
Accepting what he had done was "totally stupid", Scott also revealed that as soon as Vosa had pointed out what he was doing was unlawful, he removed the vehicle disc from his own 0-licence. The TC said it was unfortunate Scott hadn't provided an accurate explanation of the way in which HCT Haulage was organised.
Brown also found it hard to discern any meaningful mitigation or credit he could give him, "other than his admission to the circumstances of the case as put to him by the traffic examiner, which, given the nature and findings of her investigation, were difficult to dispute."
Brown felt that revocation and disqualification for three months was a proportionate punishment.
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