Director with Serious Criminal Conviction Keeps Good Repute at Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry

Laura Newton represented a Company at Public Inquiry before the Traffic Commissioner. The sole director of the Company, who was also the nominated Transport Manager had been convicted of a serious offence, for which a suspended sentence of 8 months had been imposed. This called into question the repute and professional competence of the company and the repute of the Transport Manager. Lastly, he was a HGV and PSV Vocational Driver so was called to a Driver Conduct Hearing to consider the renewal of his licence, as the Court has imposed a short disqualification alongside the suspended sentence. Following evidence being heard and lengthy legal submissions by Laura Newton, the Traffic Commissioner agreed that it was not proportionate to make a finding of loss of repute allowing the Licence to continue. She also allowed the renewal of the Vocational Licence.