27-03-08 VOSA investigation leads to Howden prosecution
M&M Howden, of Throckley near Newcastle, have been found guilty of 250 counts of falsifying tachograph records, following an investigation by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
Company Director Mark Howden and Philip Appleby, a Traffic Clerk, pleaded guilty to the offences, as well as two other counts of conspiracy to falsify tachograph records, at Newcastle Crown Court on 21 and 22 January 2008. On 27 March Howden was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Twenty two other drivers who worked for the company also pleaded guilty to falsifying their tachograph records. Two of them received custodial sentences. Others got fines ranging from £400 upwards or community service of 18 to 180 hours.
Drivers admitted various methods of producing false records. Some used false names and others pulled out fuses to stop the tachograph working when the vehicle was on the road. Dummy charts were also used to hide driving or work related time in an attempt to show rest periods that were not taken.
Alex Fiddes VOSA Chief Operating Officer said:
“This case highlights VOSA’s determination to bring to account operators and drivers who put others at risk by flouting the law and compromising road safety.”
Mark Howden submitted a guilty plea on the basis that in excess of 50% of the planned journeys, identified by the VOSA team as false records, were arranged in such a way that it would not have been possible to carry them out within the drivers' hours regulations.
In summing up, the Judge commended VOSA staff involved in the case for their thoroughness and professionalism.
- ENDS -
NOTES TO EDITOR:
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the
MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator
licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Luke Bigwood on 0117 954 3208 or Zita Easton on 0117 954 2561. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 27/03/2008