Title: Illegal Belfast Party Bus Operating Without License or Insurance: What You Need to Know
A recent court case in Belfast has shed light on an illegal party bus operation that was transporting passengers without the proper license or insurance. The company behind the bus, Belfast Party Crew Ltd, its director Darren Crozier, and driver Glenn Keatings were all convicted of offenses related to their illegal activities.
The case came to light following an investigation by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), which found that the party bus was operating without a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license or the necessary insurance cover for carrying paying passengers. The bus was parked at Forthriver Road in Belfast on August 19 last year when a DVA examiner conducted inspections and discovered the illegal operation.
According to the examiner, a man associated with the company revealed that he was taking 15 women into Belfast for a party and had been paid to do so. One of the passengers showed messages and booking confirmations on her phone, all of which were linked to Darren Crozier, the director of Belfast Party Crew Ltd.
Darren Crozier, who resides in Newtownabbey, was charged with using a vehicle in a dangerous condition and using a bus without the required PSV or operator’s licenses. Despite the charges, he did not attend the hearing, citing travel and childcare commitments as reasons for his absence.
Glenn Keatings, the driver involved in the case, argued that he only picked up the passengers as a courtesy and was not aware that it was a hire and reward situation. However, prosecutors contended that his minibus license did not cover such circumstances where passengers paid to be transported on the party bus.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the party bus was distinctive in appearance, with dark windows, disco lights, and even a dance pole inside. Despite Keatings’ claims that there was no dance pole fitted in the vehicle, District Judge George Conner found him guilty of not having the correct license or insurance for the bus and imposed penalty points and fines.
In addition to Keatings, Belfast Party Crew Ltd was also convicted of operating without the necessary PSV or bus operator’s license and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. The cases against the company and Crozier have been adjourned for a further sentencing hearing next month.
Subheadings:
Illegal Operation Uncovered by DVA Investigation
Court Proceedings and Convictions
Implications of Operating Without Proper License and Insurance
Illegal Operation Uncovered by DVA Investigation
The illegal party bus operation in Belfast came to light as a result of a thorough investigation conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). The agency’s examiners discovered that the bus was being used to transport passengers without the required Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license and insurance cover.
During inspections conducted at Forthriver Road in Belfast, a DVA examiner encountered a man associated with the company who admitted to taking 15 women into the city for a party. The passengers had paid to be on the bus, and messages on one of their phones revealed that the arrangements were made by Darren Crozier, the director of Belfast Party Crew Ltd.
The distinctive appearance of the party bus, with its dark windows, disco lights, and dance pole inside, raised red flags for the examiners. Despite claims to the contrary, the court found that the bus was indeed being used for hire and reward without the necessary licenses and insurance.
Court Proceedings and Convictions
The court proceedings against Belfast Party Crew Ltd, Darren Crozier, and Glenn Keatings revealed the extent of the illegal operation and the consequences of operating without the proper licenses and insurance. Crozier, the director of the company, was charged with using a vehicle in a dangerous condition and operating a bus without the required PSV or operator’s licenses.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Crozier failed to appear in court, citing travel and childcare commitments. The driver, Glenn Keatings, argued that he was unaware of the hire and reward nature of the trip and claimed that he only picked up the passengers as a courtesy.
However, prosecutors contended that Keatings’ minibus license did not cover the circumstances in which passengers paid to be transported on the party bus. District Judge George Conner ultimately found Keatings guilty of not having the correct license or insurance for the bus and imposed penalties and fines.
Implications of Operating Without Proper License and Insurance
The case of the illegal party bus operation in Belfast serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of operating without the proper licenses and insurance. The Driver and Vehicle Agency’s investigation uncovered a blatant disregard for the regulations that govern the transportation of paying passengers.
By operating without a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license and the necessary insurance cover, the company behind the party bus put the safety and well-being of its passengers at risk. In addition to the legal repercussions faced by the director and driver, the company itself was convicted of operating without the required licenses and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
The convictions in this case highlight the importance of adhering to the regulations that govern the transportation industry. Failure to do so not only puts passengers in danger but also exposes operators to legal consequences. As the cases against Belfast Party Crew Ltd, Darren Crozier, and Glenn Keatings proceed to a sentencing hearing, the outcome will serve as a reminder of the importance of compliance with licensing and insurance requirements in the transport sector.