Number of Driver’s Hours Offences Reduced by Half in Magistrates’ Court

This HGV driver, represented by barrister Helen Newbold, had been summonsed to the Magistrates’ Court charged with 9 driver’s hours offences. 

 Helen Newbold was able to negotiate with the Prosecution to reduce the number of charges to 4, fewer than half those initially charged.

 The HGV driver had admitted the offences at the roadside. He pleaded guilty to the four charges remaining.

 In mitigation Helen Newbold was able to demonstrate that the nature of the work being undertaken by the driver was multidrop and explained the necessary modal changes required on a digital tachograph which made recording drivers hours more complex. It was pointed out that there was no commercial benefit to the driver.

After hearing submissions the District Judge decided to apply fines for the dates of the offences rather than the number of offences which further reduced the penalties for the driver.