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Minicab driver fined for touting in Richmond
A 56-year-old taxi driver who illegally touted for passengers in Richmond has been fined £365.
Najeer Akhatar, of Maidenhead in Berkshire, was sentenced at Richmond Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 25, after trying to pick up passengers off the street – a practice only permitted for black cab drivers, not standard pre-book only drivers.
Akhatar was taken to court for touting and having no insurance, following an operation by Richmond’s Safer Transport Command officers.
The opportunist driver was only licensed to carry pre-booked passengers but was spotted by plain clothed officers as he attempted to offer a couple his services in Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, on Saturday, October 8.
Richmond’s Safer Transport Command’s Sergeant Steve Davis, who led the operation to catch illegal taxi pickups in the borough, said it was important people were aware of the dangers of picking up taxis on the street.
He said: “If a minicab picks a passenger up on the street, they’re immediately rendered uninsured. The implication for passengers is that if there is an accident, they’re not covered. So anyone Akhatar picked up by touting would have had no comeback if there had been any problems.
“In some cases illegal touts are linked to more serious crimes including rape and sexual assault, robbery and drugs.
“The temptation to flag down a minicab late at night when you are inebriated, tired or just want a cheap ride home can seem overwhelming at the time but it’s simply not worth the risk.”
Akhatar was caught as part of a Met-wide operation called Safer Travel at Night (Stan), which ran from Thursday, September 22, and Saturday, October 8, and was also given six points on his driving licence as well as his £365 fine.
http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/9397207.Minicab_driver_fined_for_touting/
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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
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