Convicted operator’s licence revoked

A Widnes sole trader has had his licence revoked after failing to notify the traffic commissioner’s office he was serving a 10-year prison sentence.

Adam James Boulton was due to appear before TC David Mullan at a Warrington public inquiry due to him never having had a vehicle specified on his licence since it was granted in 2022.

The TC was also concerned as Boulton was named as transport manager on another licence that was the subject of an unsatisfactory maintenance investigation and his application to be transport manager on a third licence had also been refused.

However, before the PI took place the calling-in letter was returned stating that the operator was in prison.

Mullan said an internet search found that Boulton had been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

Along with the 10-year sentence Boulton was also banned from driving for seven years after his release.

Explaining his decision to proceed with the PI, the TC said it was “not the case that he cannot receive post, and it is for him to ensure that he either notifies this office of a change of address or has family members or colleagues ensure important communications – such as the calling-in letter – reach him.

Mullan said: “He failed to notify this office of his conviction, and he has not responded to the calling-in letter to explain his position – he was entirely at liberty, for example, to request to surrender his operator’s licence.

“I note that the operator has been put on notice, has failed to communicate with this office and has, therefore, not provided any mitigation which might lead me to conclude that revocation is not a proportionate outcome.”

He added: “I have purposefully not made a direction on good repute as I am mindful that this hearing was not convened to consider the conviction – certainly I have no information relating to that, other than what was made available to me online, the accuracy of which has not been fully explored.”