Haulier cleared of aiding and abetting
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Richard Wolstenholme, of Longridge
IlLongridge haulier Richard Wolstenholme has been cleared by Clitheroe magistrates of aiding and abetting a disqualified driver to drive a heavy goods vehicle and of driving one himself while disqualified, Wolstenholme was accused of one offence of driving while disqualified and four offences of aiding and abetting Aaron Coe to drive while disqualified.
The prosecution produced an ICI entry book, showing that Wolstenholme was the driver of a lorry entering its premises on the date in question. Evidence was given by Coe that he had driven on the dates alleged. He agreed, however, with Michael Paterson, defending, that he was unable to say where he had driven the vehicle because it was so long ago.
Paterson argued that the magistrates had no jurisdiction to hear the charges of aiding and abetting against Wolstenholme as, in the absence of the tachograph charts, the prosecution was unable to say whereabouts in the country the vehicle had been driven.
Wolstenholme denied driving while disqualified and Paterson submitted that the ICI entry book was 'hearsay evidence" in the absence of the person making the relevant entry. He was unable to test the accuracy of the entry by questioning the person who made it, said Paterson, as the person concerned had not been called as a witness.