VED case dropped over trailer test
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• A charge that FM Engineering had used a vehicle when the wrong rate of VED had been paid was dropped after the prosecution accepted that the law governing the hauling of empty trailers had changec. The trailer manufacturer had denied the offence before the Leigh, Lancs magistrates. It arose when a tractor was used to take an unladen semi-trailer for annual test. It had been suggested the tractor should have been taxed at the rate For a 38-tonner rather than 2160 for special vehicles.
Prosecuting, Alan Bakkar said the case had been brought in line with the High Court's decision in Booth vs DPP. However, it had been pointed out by defence solicitor James Backhouse that the 1994 Vehicles Excise and Registration Act had been amended by the 1996 Finance Act. This included a new definition of "special vehicle".
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