DVSA will 'pursue and prosecute' haulage bosses who flout the law after Shropshire boss jailed for helping failsify mileage
Road safety chiefs have warned haulage bosses they will "pursue and prosecute" them if they flout the law – after a businessman from Shropshire was jailed for eight months for falsifying driver records.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said the case of Stephen Holding showed they took such offences "very seriously".
The 48-year-old, who runs SP Holding Services Ltd and SP Holding Tractor Hire from Upper Coalmoor Farm in Moreton Coppice was told by Judge Peter Barrie that his actions put the lives of his drivers and other road users at risk.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that drivers were often asked to work 18 hour days and threatened with the sack if they refused.
He was charged after an investigation by the police and the DVSA's fraud investigations team.
Andy Rice, DVSA's head of fraud and integrity, said: "As a result of the investigation it was discovered that drivers were not complying with road traffic legislation relating to drivers' hours and records.
"In most instances it was found that drivers were on duty for longer periods than they should have been.
"While this type of offence is rare, DVSA takes the falsification of driving records very seriously and will pursue and prosecute anyone who attempts to undermine public safety.
"We are determined to tackle the small minority of operators and drivers who choose to break the rules, and we have effective measures in place to catch offenders quickly.
"We carry out investigations based on intelligence and information from the public and the haulage industry, as well as conducting checks across the strategic road network, using technology such as ANPR cameras, as well as enforcement officers at the roadside and at our check sites."
Ten of Holding's drivers were also hauled before the courts for falsifying records.
Mr Rice said they were fined a total of £10,000 between them.
Holding's ex-wife Tracey Smith appeared in the dock with him at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
But Judge Barrie accepted the 48-year-old former company secretary, of Wellington Road, Horsehay, Telford had played a lesser role and sentenced her to a 12-month community order which includes 100 hours of unpaid work.
The court was told Holding won multi-million pound contracts with Severn Trent Water and a firm which supplied VIP boxes for glitzy sporting events like the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Isle of Man TT race.
The self made father-of-two built his two companies from nothing to employing nearly 200 members of staff at their height, and became well known in Telford for his charity work.
But prosecutor Mr Timothy Harrington said he "created an atmosphere" where drivers felt they had no choice but to work unlawful hours.
The company faces sentence for similar matters later in the year after the conclusion of a proceeds of crime hearing.
