A driver is more than £7,000 out of pocket after being successfully prosecuted for failing to declare dangerous goods at Dover.

The case relates to an incident on December 27, 2007, when a Toyota motor vehicle was "stop checked" by Port of Dover Police in the freight section of the outbound embarkation lane for the Norfolk Line Ferry.

Police discovered that the vehicle was carrying two drums of Cosmocil S Propylene Glycol Dispersant, which is Class 9 Hazardous Goods.

The driver, Stephen Deane, was in possession of the relevant documentation including IMO Dangerous Goods Declaration Transport Documents.

Police detained Deane and interviewed him under caution for not declaring to Norfolk Line that he was carrying these goods.

When interviewed he fully admitted withholding the information from Norfolk Line both when purchasing his ticket on line and at the check in booth.

His motive was to purchase a 'tourist ticket' as it was cheaper. Deane admitted in court that he had bought a tourist ticket for £70 in an attempt to save money. A freight ticket would have cost £170.

Deane, 49, from Glasgow, was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,545.28 by Folkestone Magistrates.

Chris Boreham, surveyor-in-charge at Dover Marine Office said: "The regulations covering dangerous goods on ships exist for the safety of passengers and crew. It is essential that the Master and crew of ferries are aware of what dangerous goods their vessel is carrying so that the correct action is taken in the event of an emergency."