An Aberdeen haulage company that obtained an O-licence under false pretences has been described as a "sham" and a "front" by the transport tribunal, which upheld a decision to disqualify it. Judge Jacqueline Beech said there was overwhelming evidence that Oakmist was inextricably entwined with indefinitely disqualified director Ian Hendry and his business Norwood Transport.
Hendry was disqualified from holding or applying for a licence in 1999 and Norwood Transport was prevented in 2003 from being awarded one after the TC concluded he was the driving force behind it. However, unannounced VOSA maintenance investigations into Oakmist, which held a licence for 20 vehicles and 20 trailers, unearthed a close working relationship with Hendry's company.
Oakmist's trailers were owned by Norwood, fuel was bought on Norwood's accounts and its maintenance providers invoiced Norwood. In the main, Oakmist's work was also sourced by Norwood. Its licence was revoked at a PI in 
January this year by Deputy TC Richard McFarlane. At the appeal, Hendry's solicitor argued that he had no controlling interest in the company and provided only advice and assistance as his son was company secretary.
However, the tribunal said Oakmist director George Cran allowed his CPC and name to be used to obtain an O-licence in a way that made no obvious link to Hendry. Judge Beech said: "Oakmist still depended financially upon Mr Hendry and we noted during the course of the hearing it was unusual for a haulier to be achieving 30% profit after tax, as was the case with Oakmist."
She added: "This was a bad case of deception on the office of the TC and an order of disqualification was justified. Two years may be considered lenient in the circumstances of this case."