Haulage Directors Receive Suspended Sentences for “Highly Dangerous” Tachograph Fraud
Directors and employees of Northern Ireland haulage firm Michael Doherty Haulage Ltd have received suspended jail sentences after being found guilty of manipulating tachograph equipment in several company trucks.
A joint investigation by Northern Ireland’s Road Policing Unit, the Driver Vehicle Agency, and HMRC led to a raid on the Omagh-based firm in April 2016, revealing evidence of tachograph fraud.
Director Michael Doherty, 45, and Transport Manager Patrick Doherty, 56, pleaded guilty at Laganside Crown Court on July 3 to charges including encouraging fraud by false representation, nine counts of aiding and abetting fraud by false representation, and entering into an arrangement to acquire criminal property.
Patrick Doherty received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, while Michael Doherty received a two-year prison sentence, also suspended for two years.
On July 4, the court issued Michael Doherty Haulage Ltd a confiscation order to pay £247,028 and fined the company £72,000.
Chief Inspector Dodds stated, “The investigation uncovered that the company and several drivers were involved in manipulating tachographs, allowing drivers to extend their duty periods beyond legal limits, posing significant road safety risks.”
Manipulation devices can disable the odometer, speedometer, and speed limiter, allowing drivers exceeding their permitted hours to control vehicles weighing up to 44 tonnes without accurate speed indications.
“This highly dangerous activity not only risks all road users’ safety but also creates an unfair economic advantage over other haulage companies,” Chief Inspector Dodds added.
The case was prosecuted under the Fraud and Proceeds of Crime Acts, resulting in Crown Court proceedings and sentencing that reflect the seriousness of the offenses.
“This was an intensive and detailed investigation, with nine drivers already receiving suspended sentences for fraud by false representation,” Chief Inspector Dodds concluded.
