Lichfield man Christopher Barlow prosecuted for acting as unlicensed taxi driverA LICHFIELD man has been ordered to pay £638 after admitting to acting as a taxi driver without a proper licence.
Christopher Barlow, 53, of Saxon Court in Lichfield, pleaded guilty to three public safety charges at Stafford Magistrates’ Court on November 6.
Lichfield District Council started proceedings after Mr Barlow, of Citroen DS Hire, took a booking and used his car as a private hire vehicle without holding the proper licences in March this year.
The three charges were for acting as an operator, driver, and proprietor of a private hire vehicle without holding either a proprietor’s licence or a private hire driver’s licence, contrary to section 46 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
Mr Barlow was fined £140 for using his car as a private hire vehicle without the proper licence on March 19.
This was reduced from £215 for an early guilty plea.
He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs in full of £478 and a victim surcharge of £20 – a total of £638, including the fine.
Lichfield District Council is the licensing authority for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles in the district.
A proprietor’s licence is needed for the owner of the vehicle and a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence is needed for the driver.
Councillor Colin Greatorex said: “We license and regulate taxi companies across the district, to make sure they are safe for their customers.
“It’s really important that local people know they are getting into a trusted vehicle that has been properly licensed.
“We hope this case encourages all prospective taxi drivers to make sure they are properly licensed before accepting any paid work.”
Read more:
http://www.lichfieldmercury.co.uk/Lichf ... z2kXE9pw7Y
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