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B B The Law The newspaper of Essex Police Issue 314 December 1999 Two haulage company directors convicted of corporate manslaughter 1 1 UNIQUE TRIAL IS A LE SUCCESS ESSEX Police has secured two convictions following its by Heather Watts first ever corporate manslaughter case against goods vehicle. As a result 34-year-old driver, Andrew Cox, the of a was charged with two counts of causing death company.- by dangeEous driving, on the grounds that he And although there have been was SO exhausted by working excessive hours that he fell asleep at the wheel of his lony. Other corporate Three directors of the haulage firm Mr Cox charges brought nationally, it is worked for, Roy Bowles rans sport, were each believed that this is the first case charged with two counts of manslaughter relating to a road death. through gross neglect. At the trial in the Central Criminal Court a road Andrew Cox changed his not guilty plea to On the M25- -in October lgg7in guilty on both counts and was bailed pending which two men died. sentence. A major investigation was launched and, Directors Stephen Bowles and Julie Bowles unusually, a dedicated incident room was were found guilty of manslaughter and will be opened at Brentwood Police Station to sentenced this month (December 10). handle inquiries and provide a vital focus The third director was found not guilty. for the investigation as officers urgently Senior investigating officer, Supt Jim appealed for witnesses. Noakes, said: "This is the first time that Essex A week after the crash, 20 witnesses had Police has charged directors of a haulage company with manslaughter following deaths heen.---- snoken- r------ to.--7 but in an effort to trace more, posters were printed and circulated to service on the road. stations and the Dartford River Crossing toll "All organisations have a duty of care to the booths. people they employ and to other people with It was shown from Dartford River Crossing whom they come into contact. Essex Police statistics that 111,589 cars had used that will investigate criminal culpability to its stretch of motorway on the day, and some fullest extent. would have been between junctions 29 and 30 "We are committed to reducing death and at the time of the crash. injury on our roads and to keeping them safe At the heart of the the investigation was the for all road users. We will prosecute anyone excessive hours worked by the driver of a large who breaks laws designed to protect lives." i Bloodhounds on the trail of twins IDENTICAL twins are being sought to help More than a year on the officers involved are expand the Endeavour Project. looking to expand the research to include the The research project was launched last year, tracking of identical twins, and need your backed bv a Home Office Grant and led by Pc help. ~alcolm~ish. If you are a twin, or know twins who might The crux of the scheme was to train Morse be able to help in this search exercise, please MOTORISTS are being warned t and Sherlock to become the first police provide names and contact details to Pc and may even receive a jail term within 72 hours if they drink and drive. bloodhound tracker dogs in the UK for 60 &eran Dale at Sandon Dog section on 01245 Pictured launching the campaign are Head of Criminal Justice, Supt Mick years. The training of two German Shepherds, 223616. Thwaites and Traffic Inspector, Alan Jelley. For full story see page 3. traditionally used for tracking, was also Endeavour bloodhound Sherlock is covered by the grant. named top dog - see page 9. 2 THE LAW, DECEMBER 1999 What will the 9 new year hold. to look back and also to look forward. 1999 AS we enter a new year - was a year of development and change. a new Millennium we We have made excellent progress in are still being attacked developing working relations with our from all sides. partners and taking forward the many We have to say we have initiatives under the Crime and Disorder serious reservations about the consequences of the We have reinforced our commitment to 200012001 budget on working with the community of Essex in policing. Once again, the our development of community policing Government's figures don't teams, and we have implemented major add up. An increase in funding of three per cent does not even cover the increased result out, hopefully, by the place in Basildon, Southend wage costs this year. end of the month. and Chelmsford Divisions of a difficult financial settlement. duty to provide the best possible service to ~h~ service needs at least I'm not sure if the turkey from April 1 next year, with ~~~ki~~forward we have been the public at the most economic cost. six per centjust to stand still, wishbone will have any effect reviews taking place over the I doubt the extra g35 million but you can try it if you like. six month trial. Year celebrations, and for the expansion of which we have to the changes for additional recruiting will The shift ballot took place Once this is evaluated, the enable forces to do little more with 70 per cent decision on whether to go over some territory from the Metropolitan deliver further improvements in the than replace officers who are working 24 hour shifts saying over to extended hours work- future. retiring or leaving the service theyextended hours shiftfavour system, an ing for all divisions will be There will also be a number of other I would like to take this opportunity to prematurely. Indeed, by the made but this be major developments designed to help us thank everyone for the contribution they end of the year 2000, there In view of this, a trial of the will be fewer police officers extended hours will take before October 2000. achieve our mission of making Essex safer. have made in 1999. and a further reduction in front line services. Travel insurance negotiations public services including the police have a a successful 2000. The public desire a police AS I write t,his, we are in negotiations with the travel service which is properly insurance brokers over the proposed increase in premiums of maintained but with this 80 per cent. budget they are being short- I am not happy with this and am trying to obtain further changed. Maintaining Proper quotes but, quite frankly, 1 don't hold out hope. We will levels police is a send something to members once we know what is happening. Iwurx it is a necessitsand Finally, on behalf of all of us in the Federation Ofice, may the have a right to be I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. I thank all your better served. remember that we are The attack on police reps on the divisions for the work they do to assist us and you, we remains a safe place in which to live, to regulations reaches its peak the members, Over the year. work and to play. this month when, after two And a special thank you to Ann Ransom who worked at Challenging budgets have necessitated headquarters and was our cleaner for many years, who retired years of negotiating, we have significant changes both in policing gone to arbitration with the recently. We wish her and Brian best wishes for the future. methods and in the provision of equipment but the Policing Plan objectives are being achieved and will continue to be so, and the Mission Statement remains relevant. Next year we shall be governed by the regime of 'Best Value' with the not insignificant changes and additional work f which that will bring, and during the H course of the year we shall welcome into HATCH the jurisdiction of the Authority the Associates residents of that part of the south of the Ro*uDlut Rm-W Mr*c county currently policed by the Metropolitan Police. I would take this opportunity to wish all readers of The Law a very happy Christmas coupled with the fervent hope POLICE that neither Millennium high spirits nor 'The Bug' will be causing trouble or MORTGAGES problems over the extended festive season. & Remortgages (including Civil S@ 9 9 Awards for county's eagle eyes "4 reasons to freephone your ex-CO~~~U~U~S- :- THREE eagle-eyed Essex Neighbourhood Richard Bills is commended in th4 Watch Schemes have been recognised for national- awards for his long term servic' their outstanding contributions to the within Rayleigh division. community with Certificates of W a tee improve Over a third of our Advisers are ex-Police - all A previous winner of the the Essex CO the terms on any mortgage you've already been with exemplary records! - so we know better Commendation in the 1999 CGU ordinator of the Year, he heads Rochforc offered! Using our mortgage computers and than most all about your pay structure and Insurance National Neighbourhood division NHW at Rayleigh police statioi negotiating power with Lenders. well help you allowances By calling us for FREE, there's no Watch Awards. choose from over 4,000 mortgage schemes! with 280 watches. need toattend countless mortgage interviews Former Mayor of Harwich, Gerald explaining your situation all over again - we deal He is a regular contributor to th, Wallington-Hayes has been highly with all Lenders under one roof! weekly NHW column in the Yellov 1 2. FREE ASSISTANT! 1 commended for 17 years' service within the NHW Scheme in Harwich. Advertiser and recently a member of hi; Once you've selected and submitted your 1 4.

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