Taxi Driver Online

Stone Minicab driver pays hefty fare for illegally plying for trade


A STONE minicab driver is more than £1,200 out of pocket after being caught illegally plying for hire.

K Cabs driver Philip Lockley was caught during a joint operation run by Staffordshire Police and Stafford Borough Council.

Cannock magistrates heard on Wednesday that Lockley, 58, of Newcastle Road, Stone, agreed to take undercover police and borough council officers to the Darlaston Inn in Stone. He was also convicted of not having insurance.

The officers were in Station Road, Stone when they asked the driver of a vehicle displaying the K Cabs logo to take them to the pub. They were told it would be a £5 fare.

Drivers who do not have a hackney carriage licence can only pick up passengers that have booked in advance – and it is illegal for them to collect customers in the street or from a taxi rank.

The Safer Nights operation aims to reduce the risks to residents of uninsured and unsafe vehicles on the roads in the borough.

Lockley, who had previously denied the offences in August, was given fines totalling £575 and ordered to pay £600 in costs as well as a £37 victim surcharge. He was also given six points on his driving licence.

Speaking after the hearing Councillor Frank Finlay, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: "We are determined to clamp down on drivers who stick two fingers up at the law by picking up customers when they are not entitled to by law.

"One of our top priorities is the health and wellbeing of our community and this operation aims to protect the public as they are at risk, because these vehicles will not be insured if they are picking up passengers in this way."

Councillor Finlay added that along with having to pay fines and costs, points on a driver's licence can make insurance cover more expensive as well.

There have been a number of successful prosecutions over the last few months following the joint operation by the police and council.


Read more: http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.u ... z3cVJdPfgM

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