Tacho Fiddling Leads to Jail Sentences

One of the largest ever investigations into tachograph falsification has ended in the jailing of two directors of Boyle Transport.

Patrick Boyle and his son Mark were sentenced to two years and 18 months respectively after they pleaded guilty to conspiring with drivers to make false tacho records.

Fifteen HGV drivers also pleaded guilty to interfering with their tachographs and they all received suspended custodial sentences and orders to carry out unpaid work.

Judge Hughes QC pointed out that the drivers could have been jailed as well had it not been for their assistance in the prosecution.

Cumbria police say they sifted through 18,000 documents in the course of their investigation and discovered that each tachograph owned by the County Down haulier had been tampered with.

Some of the drivers had been driving for up to 22 hours a day, instead of the maximum 10, and most discarded their legal breaks for er, more driving.

The investigation even managed to winkle out a conviction of rape and kidnap carried out by driver Leslie Marshall in 1989 and he is now serving a six and a half year prison sentence.

VOSA says there is now an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act to confiscate money gained by any related criminal conduct. A timetable has been set to for future hearings into confiscation proceedings relating to the assets of the company and the directors.

One email sent from a driver to Patrick Boyle pretty much summed up not only the illegality of the operation, but the inherent dangers of flouting tachograph legislation:

“I am not a hero and am not prepared to risk my life, other people’s lives or a jail sentence for you to make a profit and still pay poor wages for the amount of hours you expect people to work.”

For further information contact Anton Balkitis or Lucy Wood on 0800 046 3066 or visit the website if you are looking for motoring solicitors.