A private hire vehicle driver has been convicted in court of plying for hire without a licence, contrary to section 45 Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and of using a motor vehicle without the required insurance, contrary to s 143 Road Traffic Act 1988, with driver Muhammad Mahfooz, incurring fines and costs of £1000.
Muhammad Mahfooz, of College St, Accrington, pleaded guilty to plying for hire without a licence contrary to s 45 Town Police Clauses Act 1847, after picking up two plain clothed police officers in his private hire vehicle on Union Rd, Oswaldtwistle without a pre booking.
Mr Mahfooz was fined £200 for the plying for hire offence and £330 for not having insurance cover. His driving licence was also endorsed with 6 penalty points. Mr Mahfooz was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and prosecution legal costs of £440.
Cllr Joan Smith, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Licensing, said; “Our primary concern is for the welfare of the travelling public. Private Hire Vehicles cannot ply for hire in the street or at taxi ranks and this most recent prosecution reinforces the clear message that journeys with a private hire vehicle must always be pre-booked through the operator, failure to do so is an offence and invalidates the vehicle's insurance cover. If you flag down a private hire vehicle in the street the insurance will be invalid for the duration of your journey, please don’t take the risk”
No comments:
Post a Comment