Pugh may face court over convict's licence
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• West Nlidland Traffic Commissioner John Mervyn Pugh may have the tables turned on him next month and be forced to explain before magistrates his refusal to grant a driving licence to a convict.
Pugh refused Robert McNaughton's application following convictions for fraud and assault for which McNaughton is serving a five-year prison sentence.
McNaughton appealed to Oldbury Magistrates, who ordered Pugh to attend an appeal hearing—but the magistrates scrapped the summ■ ins following the appointment of a barrister paid for by the Government.
McNaughton is now trying again to force the Commissioner into the witness box with a High Court appeal. The barrister appearing for Pugh has argued that a Traffic Commissioner can not be questioned or give evidence on how his decision was reached. McNaughton, who holds an WV licence but is applying to be able to drive PCVs, says both sides need to appear in person so that magistrates can get a fair picture of the case.