Trucking boss flouted law, says judge

A former trucking company manager who pressured his drivers to work excessive hours pleaded guilty yesterday to criminal nuisance.

The charge against Garry Malcolm Belsham in New Plymouth District Court followed the death of a driver four years ago.

Frederick Turereao Gillies, 56, had driven his milk tanker for 15 hours with less than three hours' rest when he crashed and died in Taranaki at 10.30pm on September 24, 2001.

Truckies are allowed to drive 11 hours each day, with a rest break after five hours at the latest.

Belsham, manager of Hamilton's Shuttle Tankers (Bulk) Ltd at the time, now lives in New Plymouth and no longer works for the company.

Judge Louis Bidois told Belsham he had flouted the law. He sentenced him to 200 hours' community work and ordered him to pay $5000 to Mr Gillies' family.

Crown solicitor Cherie Clarke told the court that drivers at Belsham's company continued to drive more than they should have even after their colleague's death.

"He actively encouraged, directed or put pressure on workers to drive in excess of their hours," she said.

Mr Gillies was driving a tanker from Longburn, on the outskirts of Palmerston North, to Hawera's Fonterra plant on September 24, 2001, when he lost control of the truck not far from Hawera.

He had left Te Awamutu at 5am that day, arriving in Hawera at 2pm. After unloading, he departed for Longburn at 5pm.

He had been employed by Shuttle Tankers for six years.

Belsham wiped away tears as members of Mr Gillies' family told the court how the loss of their husband and father had affected their lives.

"If his death could prevent a similar situation that would be good but, selfishly, I just want him back," his son Nathan said.

Son Frederick jnr looked at Belsham as he said he harboured no anger towards him because that was how his father would want things to be.

Belsham responded with a quiet "thank you".

- NZPA