Myalup grower LJM Produce Pty Ltd fined after unlicensed tractor with ‘missing’ plates caught on public road

A South West vegetable grower has been fined after one of its workers was caught by police driving an unlicensed tractor with plates which were reported “missing” 16 years ago.

LJM Produce Pty Ltd was convicted at Harvey Magistrates Court on August 7 for one count of permitting a responsible person to use an unlicensed vehicle on a road and permitting a vehicle with forged, replica or false plates to be driven on a road.

The prosecution told the court at 12.02pm on June 13, an employee of the company was driving a John Deere tractor on Finn Rd in Myalup near the Forrest Highway when it was ascertained by police the vehicle was unlicensed and had never been licensed.

It was also discovered the tractor had false plates on, with the plates being registered to another John Deere tractor the company owns. The license plates found on the tractor were reported “missing” in 2007.

There were no representatives on the company present in court for the sentencing, with the business being convicted in its absence.

LJM Produce was fined $247 and ordered to pay $264.30 in police costs for the unlicensed vehicle charge, while it copped a $300 fine for the false plates.