Tractor hire boss gets indefinite ban after workers drove for 'dangerously long hours'
A tractor hire boss whose regard for safety of drivers 'beggared belief' has been banned indefinitely from operating trucks.
Stephen Holding's companies – S P Holding Tractor Hire Ltd and S P Holding Services Ltd – had their licences to run vehicles stripped following a ruling by Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones.
Holding's businesses had bases in Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Telford. The 48-year-old's unlawful activities, the regulator noted, had given him a 'very significant commercial advantage' and led to employees undertaking sustained driving while 'obviously tired'.
In one case driver, Michael Ridgway, worked for 72 hours without a sufficient break.
Earlier this year, Holding was sentenced to eight months' in prison after pleading guilty to various offences.
The Sentencing Note said employees drove dangerously long hours and falsified their records. It added that Stephen Holding expected drivers to work excessive hours.
The Traffic Commissioner issued a written decision after holding a regulatory public inquiry into the offending, and said: "The Sentencing Note is not a description of an isolated incident, it is of wholesale criminality and describes how Stephen Holding's greed led to a train of events that included the ruin of businesses and of many people's lives.
"There are many fine operators that did not obtain lucrative contracts due to Stephen Holding's activities. The lack of regard to the safety of drivers and the general public on the road network beggars belief."
Holding's companies secured work with Severn Trent Water, McCain Foods and local authorities.
The Traffic Commissioner revoked the operator licences held by S P Holding Tractor Hire Ltd and S P Holding Services Ltd with immediate effect.
He disqualified Mr Holding from holding or obtaining an operator's licence indefinitely.
Two transport managers, Brian Moss and Paul Sankey, were also disqualified from acting in that role, for three years and 18 months respectively.
Michael Ridgway, who held an operator's licence, was also disqualified from holding or obtaining another licence for five years. His licence was revoked at the same time.
