Driver fined after fridge in back of his 4x4 seen “rocking” on A483

John Roger Edwards was driving a Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4X4 on the A483 near Builth Wells on the afternoon of July 15, last year.

Police observed the 75-year-old towing a caravan on the back of the 4x4 and noticed that a fridge being transported in the back of the 4x4 was so insecure it was rocking and causing a potential hazard.

Edwards, of Penrhiw Uchaf, Glan Conwy, near Colwyn Bay, had originally denied the offence but later pleaded guilty to a charge of using a vehicle with a load that was insecure.

Prosecutor Rebecca Ross told Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 29, that the incident occurred at 2.13pm.

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“PC Jones was on patrol on the A483 near Builth when he witnessed a Ford Ranger Wildtrack with an insecure load in the back,” she said.

“He spoke to the driver, who was towing a caravan, while there was a large fridge in the rear of the truck.

“Upon inspection, the officer found the straps were slack on the fridge and it could be pushed, so it could fall. Body-worn footage showed it rocking.

“The defendant said he had jammed the fridge into the vehicle and said it was alright when he had left, but the officer said it was an offence and he was being reported.”

Edwards did not attend this week’s hearing, where he was fined £115 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £46 surcharge.