Not that much to see here, although second piece a bit more interesting because driver said he'd only *quoted* a fare and passenger would have to pre-book, but court obviously unimpressed by that
Two men prosecuted after they were caught plying for hire during Reading Festival
https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news ... -festival/
TWO men who were caught illegally plying for hire during last year's Reading Festival have been prosecuted.
Barbar Khawaja failed to attend court and was proven guilty in his absence after an undercover enforcement officer pretended to be a customer.
The 39-year-old, from Holberton Road, Reading, agreed to take the officer to Maidenhead for around £60 on August 26.
He was fined £150 and ordered to pay £200 costs plus £20 victim surcharge.
Mahboob Choudhry, 39, of Hill Street, Reading, admitted to the offence at Reading Magistrates' Court.
At 5.48pm on August 24, he was flagged down by an undercover enforcement officer, acting as a customer on Swansea Road, Reading.
He offered to take the officer to Windsor for around £40.
Mr Choudhry was ordered to pay £200 costs and £20 victim surcharge.
Third taxi driver prosecuted in April for plying for hire during Reading Festival
https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news ... -festival/
ANOTHER taxi driver registered with South Oxfordshire District Council has been prosecuted by Reading Borough Council for illegally plying for hire during last year's Reading Festival.
Tanveer Hussain, 37, of Blenheim Road, Reading, was found guilty of plying for hire at Reading Magistrates Court on Monday, April 29, following an incident which occurred at the 2018 festival.
Reading Magistrate's Court heard that at 1.06am on Saturday, August 25, Mr Hussain was flagged down by a covert officer working for Reading Borough Council and quoted him a price to take the passenger to Maidenhead.
Hussain denied the charge, claiming that he did not agree to take the passenger to Maidenhead.
Hussain told the court that he accepted that a price for the fare was quoted, but claimed he told the passenger that he would need to ring the office to book the taxi.
After hearing the evidence, the court fined Hussain £300 and he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and a contribution towards prosecution costs of £350.
Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: "This was the council's third successful prosecution in April involving South Oxfordshire licensed hackney carriage drivers plying for hire during the Reading Festival.
"Hopefully this sends a clear warning to any drivers considering similar illegal activity at this year's event."