Owner of coach firm is banned

A coach firm owner jailed after a crash in which a couple died has been banned from operating buses.

John Lote, aged 60, of Meadway Street, Burntwood, is serving a three-year sentence for manslaughter.

Driver Robert Oughton, 52, of Newgate Street, Burntwood, was jailed for over five years for death by dangerous driving and 30 months for manslaughter over the crash. The coach brakes failed in the collision while taking the West Midlands Crystalettes from Pelsall to a competition.

Lote runs Burntwood-based 1-4-You Airports and Coach Travel and 1-4-You Airport and Courier with wife, Janet.

The couple yesterday had their licences to run the companies revoked by the deputy traffic commissioner.

Oughton's wife, Judy, who helped run the business, was also banned from having a licence for three years.