Aggressive operator disqualified for two years

Chris Tindall
May 3, 2019

An operator who behaved in an aggressive manner towards a DVSA vehicle examiner, leaving him “scared for his life”, has been disqualified.

J&P Scaffolding director Jacek Pawlaczyk has been banned from holding any type of licence in any traffic area for two years after traffic commissioner (TC) for the West Midlands Nick Denton heard evidence that his behaviour was so threatening the examiner had to plead with a maintenance provider not to leave him alone with him.

At a public inquiry in Croydon, the TC heard how the examiner had visited the haulier’s premises and found some shortcomings including high MoT final failure rates, excessive intervals between safety inspections and use of an unauthorised operating centre.

Although Pawlaczyk started the visit with a pleasant manner, his mood changed when the shortcomings were pointed out.

In evidence, the examiner said the operator had shouted, pointed his finger in his face and blown smoke in his face. He said he panicked and began shaking and a maintenance provider arrived to calm Pawlaczyk down. He then had to leave, despite pleas from the examiner to stay. The examiner was later signed off work with stress.

Pawlaczyk’s solicitor Charles Stansfield accepted his client had been upset by the encounter with the DVSA, but there had been no allegation of physical violence or verbal abuse.

Denton said he had two different versions of the encounter between the two men, but given that he had known the examiner for several years and found him to be reliable and level-headed and not in the habit of making wild accusations, he had no hesitation in believing his version of events.

“It is not acceptable for DVSA examiners to face aggressive and threatening behaviour from operators. I accept that Mr Pawlaczyk did not physically assault the examiner [there was no claim that he did], but I am clear that Mr Pawlaczyk’s shouting, smoking, and close proximity finger-wagging did intimidate him and caused him to fear what might happen next. An operator who indulges in such behaviour is not fit to hold a licence,” he said.

Pawlaczyk’s company O-licence was also revoked.

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About the Author

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Chris Tindall

Chris Tindall started writing for the haulage and logistics industry in 2002 and has covered a broad range of significant issues, including GPS jamming by criminals, platooning and Brexit.

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