A TRADESMAN whose dangerously overloaded lorries were found on Suffolk roads has been ordered to pay almost £1,000 in fines. Described by trading standards officers as a “persistent offender”, Richard Littleboy, owner of a Norfolk scaffold company, pleaded guilty to the offence at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court on January 11.

A TRADESMAN whose dangerously overloaded lorries were found on Suffolk roads has been ordered to pay almost £1,000 in fines.

Described by trading standards officers as a “persistent offender”, Richard Littleboy, owner of a Norfolk scaffold company, pleaded guilty to the offence at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court on January 11.

Road Traffic Officers from Suffolk County Council's trading standards department first caught Littleboy's vehicles illegally using the A140 at Brome on the August 11 2006.

A spokesman for the department said: “This was quickly followed by his second offence on the September 22 2006. “On this occasion the lorry was overloaded by 980kg, approximately the same weight as a small hatchback car.”

Littleboy's first offence ended in him paying out £400 in fines and costs, with the driver of the vehicle paying £275.

The second offence resulted in magistrates fining Littleboy £900, with the driver having to pay £350.

Magistrates condemned Littleboy's actions.

The chairman of the bench said: "Not only do your actions endanger the safety of other road users, but they also cause unnecessary damage to Suffolk's roads".

Joanna Spicer portfolio holder for public protection said: "Drivers and companies who don't heed our warnings will find themselves back in court - the message couldn't be simpler.

“Over the last five years we have made progress in reducing the number of overloaded lorries on Suffolk's roads. “However, there will always be people who ignore the warnings - we are ready to deal with those people effectively. “Vehicles carrying more weight than they are designed to do, causes increased danger to other road users, as well as increasing the money needed for road maintenance".

She added: "Our experienced road traffic officers continue to checks for offenders across the county and will take appropriate action where problems are found".

If you have information about drivers or companies overloading their vehicles you can call trading standards on 01473 264859.