Taxi Driver Online

Undercover police catch Accrington minicab driver plying for hire


A PRIVATE hire driver from Accrington was caught plying for hire after picking up two undercover police officers without a pre-booking.

Muhammad Mahfooz, of College Street, Accrington, was ordered to pay £1,000 after pleading guilty to plying for hire in an unlicenced vehicle, and for driving without insurance.

The 34-year-old was caught after picking up the two officers, who were wearing plaint clothes, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

Deputy council leader and cabinet member for licensing, Coun Joan Smith, 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.”

Mahfooz was fined £200 for plying for hire and £330 for having no insurance. He was also given six points, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30, and told to pay costs of £440.

source: http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/news/ ... ?ref=var_0

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

Or, two off duty coppers staggered out of a pub at closing time, didn't give a toss what vehicle they got into until the driver tried ripping them off. Or deliberately got into an unbooked PH knowing it meant a free lift home.

I don't think it works that way.

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Grandad,

Accrington minicab driver loses fight to get licence back after illegally picking up two undercover police officers




A PRIVATE hire driver from Accrington convicted after illegally picking up two undercover police officers has lost his fight to get his licence back.

Muhammad Mahfooz, of College Street, Accrington, was ordered to pay £1,000 after pleading guilty to plying for hire in an unlicensed vehicle, and for driving without insurance, in August.

The then-34-year-old was caught after picking up the two officers, who were wearing plain clothes, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

In September, Hyndburn Council’s judicial committee voted to revoke Mahfooz’s licence after councillors considered his convictions and two complaints made about his behaviour.

Mahfooz appealed to magistrates, but councillors will be told at an upcoming meeting the court ruled in their favour.

Council solicitor Gordon McMillan said: “On September 18, the committee revoked the private hire vehicle driver’s licence that had been issued to Mr Muhammad Mahfooz of College Street, Accrington, after members considered a report detailing his convictions and two complaints about his behaviour.

“Hyndburn magistrates, after hearing representations from both [Mahfooz’s] barrister and a council solicitor decided that the committee’s decision should be upheld.”

Speaking at the time of Mahfooz’s conviction, former deputy council leader and cabinet member for licensing, Councillor Joan Smith, 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.”

Mahfooz was fined £200 for plying for hire and £330 for having no insurance.

He was also given six penalty points, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30, and told to pay costs of £440.

source: http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/ ... _officers/

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

I had a similar experience 33 years ago,
I was waiting at about 2.30 AM on Waverly bridge for a booking in Edinburgh, when 2 folk dressed in raincoats opened the door and asked to be taken to a destination in Edinburgh, I told them I couldn't, and I was not from that area, and was booked and knew exactly who I was picking up, I also pointed out I could see them coming at the top of the hill, they for some reason said that was the best answer they had heard all night, plain clothed specials