Taxi Driver Online

Watford Observer

December 6, 2006 Wednesday

HEADLINE: Second time caught for cabbie

A TAXI driver has been caught illegally plying for trade a second time.

Imtiaz Khan, of Hagden Lane, Watford, was driving for cab firm Lucketts when he was caught in a council sting.

Officers from Watford Borough Council approached Khan as he sat in his Ford Mondeo late at night in Clarendon Road, on Saturday, May 13.

He took them to Rose Gardens, Watford for £4.80 as they had asked him. But after the officers got out he was stopped by police and further council officers.

Khan admitted he only had a private hire licence with Watford Borough Council, which only entitled him to pick up pre-booked fares - not those hailing a taxi off the street.

Khan has a previous conviction for the same offence back in 2002, when he was found guilty after a trial, having pleaded not guilty. And he was "warned" by trading standards at Birmingham Council for failing to keep a proper record of one of his drivers.

Khan pleaded guilty by post to plying for hire without a licence.

In mitigation he wrote that he was not working at the time, but went out for something to eat when he was approached by a woman who asked him to take her to Rose Gardens. In the letter he said that he was heading that way and so thought it would be "good" to give the ladies a lift home, as it was unlikely they would get a taxi where they were waiting.

At Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court on Friday chairman of the bench Sue Edelmann imposed a £410 fine and awarded prosecution costs of £350.
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No bigger supporter of the PH trade on here, but this fella is a toss pot.

And that fine is an insult.

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IDFIMH

I have a feeling the licensing committee might take a dim view of him committing the offence a second time?

Regards

JD

lock him up next time

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NO SURRENDER!

I would say the chances of a next time are a tad slim.

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IDFIMH

There's another thing we could agree on.

He should be banned for life.

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stressed controller!!!

Currently in London he would be charged with driving uninsured and banned from driving, because its a second offence, and he would face the possibility of seeing his vehicle crushed.This is already happening,no way will he ever be relicenced.Ulster you should have known that its been in N/letters Terry

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

His previous offence was 4 years ago, surely there is a period of rehabilitation?

The first offence was in Birmingham, the second offence was in Watford, I wonder how the council found out? And if when granting him the license it was declared and if he was warned or told not to do similar things in Watford.

CC

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

Enhanced crim check would throw it up.Touting 2 times in 4 years debatable i agree, a lot would depend on the circumstances,IE entrapment etc.But a plea of guilty by post would indicate otherwise.
ORGANISE EDUCATE AGITATE!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

I dont think your touting if someone approaches you Terry.

And 4 years later seems a bit rough to me, but I suppose we dont really have the full details of the case.

CC

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

AGREED!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

4 drivers on my firm have been nicked for touting this year and not one has been banned, so I'm not sure where you get your information from GMB.

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stressed controller!!!

On second offence they will charged with driving uninsured and banned from driving, if you can prove otherwise fill me in and we ll take it up.We regard TOUTING as indefensable.Entrapment is something else,unfortunately rozzers practice it.
EDUCATE AGITATE AGITATE!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

When a driver gets nicked for first offence he is driving with no insurance, why not ban him then?.

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stressed controller!!!