Fined for Series of Offences

A County Antrim driver has been convicted at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court and fined a total of £600 plus £34 court costs along with an eighteen month driving ban.

The conviction arose when DVA Vehicle Examiners stopped a 2 axle Volvo livestock goods vehicle carrying sheep in the Ballymena area. A check of the driver’s documentation found that there was no Operator’s licence in force and that the vehicles goods vehicle certificate had expired, in addition the driver did not have a driving licence that entitled him to drive the category of the vehicle he was driving.

Banned from Driving

A Co Armagh operator has been convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ Court and fined a total of £1600 plus £67 court costs.  He was also ordered to pay a £15 offenders levy and was disqualified from driving for eighteen months.

The conviction arose when DVA Vehicle Examiners investigated the suspected fraudulent use of commercial goods vehicles being used to transport goods for hire and reward without a Goods Vehicle Operators Licence.

During the investigation two goods vehicles were detained under The Goods Vehicle Licensing of Operators Act (NI) 2010 and these were eventually disposed of following the successful prosecution of the operator.

The proceeds arising from the sale of the assets were recovered to pay for the costs associated with the investigation.

In a related matter, the same operator was convicted at Newry Magistrates` Court and fined a total of £750 plus £15 court costs.

During the investigation a goods vehicle was detained under the Goods Vehicle Licensing of Operators Act (NI) 2010 and was eventually disposed of following the successful prosecution of the operator.

Again, the proceeds arising from the sale of the assets were recovered to pay for the costs associated with the investigation

Overweight

A County Londonderry driver was convicted at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court and fined a total of £500 plus £34 court costs.

The conviction arose when DVA Vehicle Examiners stopped a 3 + 5 axle DAF goods vehicle at Harbour Highway, Larne and found it to be overweight on its gross train weight by 39040kgs (88.72%).

Upon further examination it became apparent that the vehicle was designed for special types use, however as no movement order was present the vehicle was limited to normal Construction and Use weight limits.