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Using unbadged PHD and destroying records costs Leics op £8k
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=38611		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  StuartW [ Sun Aug 14, 2022 3:39 am ]
Post subject:  Using unbadged PHD and destroying records costs Leics op £8k
Unlicensed driver leads to record fine for taxi company boss

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news ... ne-7458906

Ejaz Ahmed, the owner of A1 Taxis in Ashby, destroyed evidence of his crime

A taxi company boss who illegally hired an unlicensed driver and then tried to cover it up has received a record fine. North West Leicestershire District Council launched an investigation into A1 Taxis in Ashby after it hired the driver but the company's owner refused to co-operate with the investigation, destroying evidence instead.

The court case that followed resulted in the biggest ever fine for a taxi licensing breach the council has ever been involved in. The company's owner, Ejaz Ahmed, has been ordered to pay a £1,600 fine as well as £6,384 to go towards the council's costs of investigating and prosecuting the case.

In court, Ahmed, 51, of Hunter Street, Burton-upon-Trent, admitted his failure to comply with North West Leicestershire District Council’s investigation into the employee, who had been driving a private hire car without a license for A1 Taxis.

The court heard the business owner knowingly employed the driver without the required private hire licence and then failed to keep vital records by deleting information relevant to the council’s investigation. Ahmed pleaded guilty to the breach on July 29 and the magistrates issued him with the fine and court costs. The £8,144 will be paid in £678 instalments.

According to the company's website, A1 Taxis, in Brook Street, Ashby, is the largest private hire company in the town, with more than 30 vehicles. It states the company is "the cheapest and most reliable service available in the North West Leicestershire District".

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for community services at the council, said: “This is the biggest fine that we’ve ever secured in court for this type of offence, which reflects the seriousness of the crime. Unlawful activity like this puts people’s safety at risk, including passengers and other road users and the role of our licensing enforcement officers is to stop this from happening.

“We’re lucky that these offences happen rarely and residents can rest assured that, by choosing to travel with one of our licensed operators, it is both a safe and reliable option.”
Author:  StuartW [ Sun Aug 14, 2022 3:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using unbadged PHD and destroying records costs Leics op
As no doubt every reader will recall 8-[ the driver was prosecuted previously. In fact almost two years ago :-o

And as forum members mused at the time, surely the operator will be prosecuted as well? Well, here it is - better late than never...

But last time round it was remarked that in financial terms at least, the driver got off quite lightly - less than £400 in penalties and costs.

But this one is obviously at the other end of the scale in that regard :shock:

This is the prosecution of the driver here - or at least this is presumably the driver referred to above. There's no actual dates or other concrete information to link the two cases apart from the fact that it's A1 Taxis in Ashby, and there's an extra element of dishonesty and concealment in both cases.

But despite the near-two year delay, presumably safe to say this below is the driver in question, unless A1 makes a habit of this kind of thing :badgrin:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36269&p=404329
Author:  edders23 [ Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using unbadged PHD and destroying records costs Leics op
but will he learn his lesson ?

and more to the point as owner of the vehicle why was he not also prosecuted for no insurance :-k
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using unbadged PHD and destroying records costs Leics op
edders23 wrote:
but will he learn his lesson ?

Well the council should be considering even revoking his current ops license, or not renewing it.
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using unbadged PHD and destroying records costs Leics op
edders23 wrote:
and more to the point as owner of the vehicle why was he not also prosecuted for no insurance :-k

I suspect it was dealt with via the fixed penalty process.
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