Driver on disqualified charge

A LORRY was seized and a man arrested during police checks on the A1 in Huntingdonshire. Officers stopped the lorry on Thursday after they suspected the driver had been using a mobile phone while driving. The vehicle was then examined by VOSA inspectors

A LORRY was seized and a man arrested during police checks on the A1 in Huntingdonshire.

Officers stopped the lorry on Thursday after they suspected the driver had been using a mobile phone while driving.

The vehicle was then examined by VOSA inspectors before it was handed over to Customs and Excise on suspicions it contained green diesel (the Irish equivalent of red diesel).

A 27-year-old man from Ireland was arrested on suspicion of a number of motoring offences and has since been charged with driving while disqualified, using a mobile phone while disqualified, failing to produce tachograph records, and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

He was bailed to Huntingdon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, February 14.

Sergeant Simon Goldsmith said: "This should act as a warning to road users considering breaking the law. We are on the county's roads 24/7 targeting those breaking the law."

A police operation carried out on the A1 at Sawtry on Saturday, January 23, to target road offences found a third of goods vehicle drivers stopped were committing a road offence.

Officers on Operation Mermaid stopped 54 vehicles and 18 offences were uncovered, including those relating to a vehicle tyres and lights.

Sergeant Robin Marshall, said: "There are still a number of goods drivers who think it is acceptable to drive defective vehicles and travel over their driving hours. These people are not only endangering themselves but also other road users.

"We will continue to run operations such as these as we target road users breaking the law.