After a four-year investigation, Tyne and Wear coach operator Howard Snaith and a number of its employees were found not guilty of conspiracy to falsify tachograph records at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.
In a statement released via Backhouse Jones solicitors, the Snaith family said: “On March 18, 2011, DVSA Officers with the assistance of the local Police executed a search warrant at the business premises of Howard Snaith and Partners of Otterburn. That search began an investigation which has taken four years to conclude during that time the lives and the good business name of Howard Snaith’s has been dragged through the mud. Both Alison Snaith and the business have always vehemently denied the offence of Conspiracy to falsify tachograph records.
“On March 23, 2015 at Newcastle Crown Court, Howard Snaith and Partners and Alison Snaith along with a number of employees were found not guilty of these allegations, which were without any foundation.
“During the course of an investigation, Alison Snaith foolishly produced four tachograph records to replace four which have been lost. To that extent only, Mrs Snaith pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.”
The sentencing hearing has been adjourned until April 21, 2015.
The statement continued: “Snaith’s have been completely exonerated of the conspiracy allegations made against them. It has taken four years for the truth to come out.
“That the truth has come out is due to our legal team of Tony Cross QC, Kathryn Johnson, Daniel Thomas of Lincoln House Chambers, Scott Bell of Backhouse Jones Solicitors, Brian Hegarty of David Gray Solicitors and Gordon Humphreys of Foster Tachographs. Snaiths would also like to thank the customers and suppliers who have stood by them during this period.”
