Taxi Driver Online

Illegal taxi driver banned from driving


AN ILLEGAL taxi driver has been banned from driving following a joint investigation by police and trading standards officers.

Officers from Gwent Police and Caerphilly council's trading standards discovered Glen Avery, aged 23, of Morgan Street, Tredegar, was operating an illegal taxi following complaints made from the legitimate taxi trade. Taxi operators in the Bargoed area alerted officers after noticing a decline in trade towards the end of 2015 believing this was down to illegal taxis in particular younger drivers offering lifts on social media.

Over a number of weeks, officers carried out a series of joint operations where any individuals suspected of acting illegally as taxi drivers were targeted.

CCTV footage from over the Christmas and New Year period showed Avery taking money from passengers before driving them away.

He appeared at Newport Magistrate's Court on July 22, where he pleaded guilty to six charges relating to illegal taxi driving. The charges were contrary to the Road Traffic Act 1988 for using a Nissan Primera without appropriate insurance, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for failing to tell passengers they were not insured, and the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 for plying for hire without a licence.

The court ordered Avery to pay a fine of £480, together with prosecution costs to Caerphilly council of £200 and a £20 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for six months.

Cllr Nigel George, cabinet member with responsibility for public protection, said: “While public safety is of course a key concern, so is the threat to the livelihoods of the legitimate taxi trade from this illegal activity. I would urge anyone thinking of ‘doing lifts’ for payment to think again – they will not have the appropriate insurance and if caught, could be banned from driving just as Mr Avery has been”.

PC Adam Lang, a crime and disorder reduction officer, said: “This was becoming a real issue in the area. I hope this penalty sends a clear message to those thinking of acting in this way that Gwent Police along with local authorities will endeavour to identify and prosecute any such behaviour."

To report an issue with illegal taxis in Caerphilly county borough, please contact the trading standards team on 01495 235 291 or visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/tradingstandards

source: http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/1 ... m_driving/

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

Ah well at least one has been caught bet there's a thousand more where he came from

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector