A Tyneside haulier was last week (27 March) sentenced to 15 months in prison for falsifying tachograph records. Mark Howden, a director of M&M Howden of Throckley, near Newcastle, was given the sentence after pleading guilty to 250 counts of falsifying the records, as well two other counts of conspiracy to falsify records. The original trial took place at Newcastle Crown Court at the end of January (21-22 Jan).
Twenty-two other drivers who worked for the company also pleaded guilty
to falsifying tacho records. Two of them also received custodial sentences with others being fined from £400 upwards or community service of between 18 and 180 hours.
The drivers admitted various methods of producing the false records. Some used false names and others pulled out fuses to stop the tachograph working while the vehicle was on the road. Dummy charts were also used to hide driving or work-related time in an effort to indicate rest periods that were not taken. Alex Fiddes, Vosa chief operating officer, says: "The case highlights Vosa's determination to bring to account operators and drivers who put others at risk by flouting the law and compromising road safety."
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