A LORRY driver said to have put the safety of a cross-Channel ferry in jeopardy has been fined after admitting that he did not declare he was carrying dangerous goods.

At Channel Magistrates Court, Metin Kahramam, a 44-year-old Turkish man, was fined £1,250 and ordered to pay £1,500 costs.

Kahramam had sailed on a ferry from Calais to Dover, which had 95 passengers and more than 100 crew on board. On arrival, Dover Harbour Board police subjected the vehicle to a routine search during which it was found to be carrying Class 3 Dangerous Goods - flammable liquids - as part of its load.

The lorry was not displaying International Maritime Organization (IMO) placards to indicate this. When asked about his load the dangerous Goods Declaration was produced. A Port Safety Officer from the Port of Dover checked the load and confirmed that dangerous goods were being carried.

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) were informed. When questioned later at Dover Police station, Kahramam admitted that he had not declared the dangerous goods because he had not checked the load or the paperwork in order to establish what he was carrying.

In their summing up the magistrates said the offence was serious breach of regulations put in place to protect all on the ferry.

They accepted it was not a deliberate act of concealment and took into consideration Kahraman's co-operation with the enquiry and that he had shown remorse.