Criminal offending ends haulier’s operation

Criminal offending ends haulier’s operation

A Sevenoaks company committed “a grave breach of trust” after it carried out hire and reward work while operating under a restricted licence, according to a traffic commissioner.

TC Sarah Bell said it was entirely appropriate and proportionate to revoke Lawrence Haulage’s licence after she heard evidence of its criminal offences.

The company was called to a public inquiry after it applied to change its operating centre and then it emerged it hadn’t been parking vehicles at its original base for months.

In her written decision, the TC said a caseworker contacted the firm to find out where it was parking its lorries and eventually director Daniel Lawrence admitted that he was in dispute with the previous site and parking at the maintenance contractors instead.

“It remains unclear why he was not able to park at the operating centre that had been applied for in Swanscombe,” she said.

“Mr Lawrence has not attended the hearing to assist me with any questions arising.

“However, there is a clear admission of unauthorised use of an operating centre. That is a breach of a condition on the licence and a criminal offence,” she added.

“Vehicles must be parked at the authorised operating centre when not in use and failure to notify material changes is equally serious.”

The TC said that evidence, including from social media as well as the firm’s landlord, showed that the company was providing hire and reward services and so she revoked the licence.