Archive: Criminal Defence

Specialist Transport Solicitor Martin Smith was instructed by the driver of a large goods vehicle who faced a serious allegation of speeding. A Safer Roads Enforcement Officer had examined photographic evidence and alleged that the large goods vehicle had been driven at a speed of 67 mph in a 40 […]

This HGV driver, represented by barrister Helen Newbold, was facing a mandatory 18 points for four driving related offences. With the loss of his licence and his employment a very real possibility he took the right decision to get representation from a road transport specialist. After taking advice from Helen […]

Barrister Helen Newbold represented this HGV driver in the Magistrates’ court. By removing one of the analogue discs recording a tramping journey he had deliberately made a false record, an offence which carries an unlimited fine. After taking advice, the driver decided to plead guilty at the first opportunity. This […]

This driver, represented in the Crown Court by Barrister Harry Bowyer (SBC did not act in the Magistrates’ Court), wanted to appeal his disqualification for Drug Driving. He had given a lift to a friend who had offered him roll up cigarettes on their journey down south. The driver accepted […]

SBC Barristers are also members of the Independent Bar, acting through chambers, so that other firms of solicitors might instruct them independently of SBC, taking advantage of the skill set and contacts that the barristers can offer whilst being able to continue to litigate the case themselves. Harry Bowyer was […]

This owner driver, represented by SBC, appeared before the Magistrates’ having been charged with two tachograph offences. On downloading his tachograph during a roadside inspection, the DVSA had uncovered several instances of driving “off-card”. When interviewed under caution by the DVSA, the driver admitted the offences, but had been able […]

Barrister Helen Newbold represented this HGV driver in the Magistrate’s court. He had been charged with an offence involving ‘pulling’ his digital drivers’ card. The driver pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to knowingly removing his card. The offence carries a penalty of a level 5  (unlimited) fine in the Magistrates’ […]

A PSV Operator was represented in the Magistrates’ Court by Barrister Helen Newbold for allegedly having no insurance on his private car when he was stopped by the police. The operator believed that his private vehicle was covered by his fleet insurance at the time that he was stopped. The […]

A volunteer riding for the Devon Freewheelers (DFW), represented at court by barrister Harry Bowyer, was stopped by an Officer of the Devon and Cornwall Police whilst transporting surgical instruments urgently required by the Nuffield Hospital. He was charged with speeding and riding a vehicle fitted with sirens. The Officer […]

This agency driver was under investigation by the DVSA (VOSA) for suspected tachograph offences. The allegation was that the truck had been driven without a tachograph card being used. The driver had been called to attend an interview under caution with the DVSA. The driver was able to satisfy the […]