Taxi Driver Online

Driver fined for smoking in minicab


A private hire owner from Towcester has been fined £100 for smoking in her work vehicle.

On Friday, April 5, Valerie Dean of Deano’s Private Hire in Towcester pleaded guilty to smoking in her minicab.

Mrs Dean did not attend the hearing at Northampton Magistrates’ Court and entered a plea by letter.

In her absence she was fined £100 and ordered to pay £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

It was second time that Mrs Dean has been found guilty of the offence, the first offence occurring in 2008.

Councillor Dermot Bambridge, South Northants Council’s member for the environment, said all taxis must remain smoke free to comply with the law, but more importantly for the protection of public health.

He added: “Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers who insist on smoking in their vehicles run the risk of both fines and possible revocation of their private hire licence if found guilty.”

Speaking to the Advertiser after the case Mrs Dean said she did not want to spend the time fighting the case, but said she did not smoke in her cab.

She said it was a Sunday, she was not working and lit a cigarette as she exited her car as she visited a supermarket after having recently learnt about the death of a friend.

Since July 2007 it has been illegal to smoke in a vehicle that is used as a place of work or that is used to transport members of the public. For more information on smoking laws visit www.southnorthants.gov.uk/2491.htm.

source: http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/news/l ... -1-5000168

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Was there a Victim? if not Who got the £15 victim charge?

The victims are all of us - particularly the children

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

That 15 quid will not go far then..

maybe she was electing a new pope

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

There is a central fund for the victims of crime. Anyone convicted of a crime has to pay £15 towards this fund. if you are a victim of crime you can apply for compensation which is paid out of this fund.

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Grandad,

It goes into a big pool to pay for all the Xmas parties at HMCTS.

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IDFIMH

It's a new Tax.

It's not that new.

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Grandad,

so she knew not to smoke in the cab/car?...and she still did

are these people born stupid or do they work up to it?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most