BUSINESSES and individual motorists are counting the cost after a series of convictions for overloading vehicles.

Fines were meted out to operators and drivers in prosecutions brought by Durham County Council following routine vehicle weighing checks last year.

Punjab Kitchen Limited, of South Shields, and driver, Kevin Hansson, 48, of Holbein Road, in the town, admitted three charges each and were fined a total £1,200 with costs and surcharge totalling £629.95. A vehicle used by the company, carrying frozen curry meals, was 22.5 per cent over the permitted weight.

One axle of a low loader driven by Jamal Abas Sirwan, 37, of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, from Peterlee, was 21-pc overloaded.

Sirwan had no contact with the court, but was found guilty of two charges in his absence, and fined £460, with £399.95 costs.

George William Miller, 24, of Ashwood Grange, Thornley, was carrying resin aggregates for his business, Miller Roadways, in a vehicle 28-pc overladen.

He admitted two charges by post and was fined £420, with £545 costs and a £42 victim surcharge.