He has now moved to work for another bed manufacturer with a ‘healthier attitude’ towards employees’ health and safety.
However, Judge Jonathan Rose said the claims could only form part of Bentley’s mitigation if it was proven that the business was being investigated for potential breaches of regulations itself. Judge Rose added that he considered the offences ‘very serious’ and the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which is prosecuting Bentley, pointed out that there are options for drivers to be able to make a note of times they have exceeded their hours if genuinely unable to find somewhere to safely park their lorry, thus avoiding committing an offence.
Judge Rose told Bentley that a prison sentence was possible and adjourned the case for sentencing in November.