Boyle Transport bosses fail in false tacho readings appeal

Directors from Northern Ireland-based haulage company Boyle Transport have lost appeals against their sentences for conspiring with drivers to make false tachograph readings.

In April this year, at Carlisle Crown Court, MD Patrick Boyle, 65, from Newry, County Down, was handed a two-year prison sentence after he admitted conspiring with his drivers to make the false readings.

His son and fellow director Mark Boyle, 36, was given an 18-month prison sentence after he also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy.

The pair were also disqualified from acting as company directors for five years.

In a hearing at the Court of Appeal in London on 5 October, their lawyers argued that the sentences were too long and should be cut.

The court was told how the Boyles had interfered with the tachographs in order to keep the work they had against tough competition and the impact of the recession.

However, rejecting the appeal, Mr Justice Supperstone said: "In our judgement of the present case where the appellants flagrantly and persistently circumvented the drivers' hours regulations, giving rise to matters of public danger, the sentences are entirely appropriate."