Double death crash bosses cleared

Two Plymouth haulage bosses have been found not guilty of the manslaughter of two lorry drivers in a head-on crash.

Raymond Knapman and Robert Legg, of R&B Drivers, were cleared over the crash, which happened in Wiltshire in 2003.

But they will be sentenced for failing to ensure the safety of drivers Mark Chadbourne, 47, and Anthony Best, 62.

A court heard that R&B driver Mr Chadbourne, from Plymouth, had only had seven hours 50 minutes' rest in the previous 33 hours.

The industry must take note of the consequences of poor management, greed and blatant disregard for the drivers' hours Insp Daryn Pearce, Wiltshire Police

Winchester Crown Court was told that R&B Drivers supplied agency drivers for major companies across the country.

But Knapman, 46, and Legg, 53, put pressure on Mr Chadbourne and others to work beyond their legal hours of driving to make money for the firm.

The fatal accident happened on the A303 near West Knoyle when Mr Chadbourne's lorry crossed the road into the path of the other vehicle driven by Mr Best, from Bristol, who worked for another company.

The prosecution claimed that the crash was caused by Mr Chadbourne falling asleep, but Judge Michael Broderick said that a heart attack could not be ruled out which led him to order the jury to acquit the defendants of the manslaughter charge.

The jury was also ordered to return a not guilty verdict for a charge of conspiracy to obtain property by deception against both defendants.

Knapman admitted eight charges of deception relating to supplying drivers to illegally carry out double shifts.

Both also admitted failing to ensure the safety of persons not in their employment.

Insp Daryn Pearce, of Wiltshire Police, said: "The industry must take note of the consequences of poor management, greed and blatant disregard for the drivers' hours."

Knapman, from Paignton in Devon, and Legg, from Ivybridge in Devon, will be sentenced on 20 January next year.