News

Conflicting stories of a truck's ownership were heard by the Transport Tribunal when it upheld a TC's decision not to return a vehicle impounded last summer. North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney had refused to return the vehicle to John McCarthy, a member of the 'travelling community'.

The vehicle had been stopped in June while carrying pallets. It was driven by James Whyte, who said he was the owner but had no O-licence. Whyte was warned the vehicle could be impounded unless  it was used with a valid O-licence. Later that day he was seen driving the vehicle loaded with cable and plastic wire and the vehicle was impounded. McCarthy told the TC that he had bought the vehicle from Whyte in May and that in June Whyte was taking it to a prospective purchaser. He did not know it was being used to carry a load.

Refusing to return the vehicle, the TC said Whyte and McCarthy had not been as candid with him as they should. He concluded that Whyte was the owner of the vehicle on the day of the impounding. Appearing before the Tribunal Whyte insisted that he had not been the owner, although he agreed that he had said he was. He maintained that he had sold the unit to McCarthy.

Nothing New

Nothing new was said to the Tribunal members which caused them to think they should interfere with the TC's decision.