Innes loses bid for return of impounded vehicle

Huntly, Aberdeenshire- based James Innes, trading as James C Innes & Sons, has lost his bid for the return of an impounded vehicle. The truck was found to be operating following the revocation of his licence in March 2008 (MT 10 April).

On 8 April, the vehicle was stopped by police. The driver produced a Northern Ireland authorisation for Magee Haulage of County Tyrone and said that the vehicle was leased by Innes to Magee. A delivery note from James Jones & Sons listed the haulier as James C Innes. The driver was employed by Aiden Magee.

Checks revealed the vehicle to be insured by Innes. VOSA also found that the vehicle was not specified on any O-licence in Northern Ireland or mainland UK, and that the registered keeper was Innes. On searching the vehicle, a daily defect report book, proof of delivery book and lorry delivery sheets, all in the name of Innes, were found.

In view of Innes's history, Scottish TC Joan Aitken said it was quite clear that Innes was continuing to operate without any regard to the fact that his licence had been revoked.

She concluded that the arrangement with Magee was a sham to get Innes operating again. She would be sending a copy of all the decisions involving Innes to the licensing authority in Northern Ireland, so it could conduct its own enquiry about the actions of Aiden Magee and his firm.