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You don't see many cases of touting coming before the courts but Trafford council successfully prosecuted this individual for that very offence. There is no difference in what this person did and those who were operating with the councils consent at the Manchester Printworks complex over xmas, except for the fact that Trafford council were aware of the legalities connected with touting and Manchester made a concious decision to disregard them.
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Manchester Evening News
May 31, 2008 Saturday
Driver who touted for fares is fined
APRIVATE-hire driver who illegally picked up fares outside Manchester United's ground has been prosecuted - and fined.
Old Trafford has become a magnet for rogue drivers hoping to cash in on match days.
Earlier this month, the M.E.N. highlighted the case of a Bury driver who was breaking the law by picking up fares in Old Trafford and demanding £20 for a two-mile journey.
Now, Trafford council has prosecuted Tahir Bilal Baig, a Manchester private-hire driver caught out in January.
Baig, 33, of Rusholme, was fined £700, plus £350 costs at Manchester Magistrates' Court after admitting illegally plying for hire.
The court heard he was spotted touting for business in his Toyota Avensis after a Reds clash with Newcastle.
Two fans were trying to flag down black cabs when Baig, of Rainbow Cars, asked them where they were going and beckoned them into his vehicle, before being confronted by a Trafford council official.
Baig claimed he had been called to the ground to pick up a fare which didn't turn up and was taking the opportunity to make up the shortfall.
Black cab drivers are not supposed to pick up unbooked fares outside the local authority area which granted their licence. Meanwhile, private-hire drivers are not supposed to pick up fares in the street anywhere.
Licensing enforcement officer Martin McKinley said: "Private-hire vehicles can't ply for hire as black cabs can. In Trafford, we have had private-hire drivers and black cab drivers coming from out of the area and soliciting for fares, sometimes demanding well over the odds.
"Old Trafford is unique as we get people from all over the country and the world here on a regular basis and it's our job to protect the public.
"If a driver isn't licensed to pick people up, he isn't insured."
John Connaught, of Trafford Hackney Drivers, said: "On one day during the West Indies cricket Test Series last year there were 12 Trafford Hackney drivers and 76 private hire drivers from places like Bolton, Oldham, Manchester, Salford and Trafford.
"Some of them were demanding £50 to go to the airport and £25 to the city centre.
"Drivers even come in from towns like Nelson, Colne and Burnley.
"I would urge fans to use licensed Trafford black cabs and when they use private hire vehicles, to book them by phone."
Mr Connaught commended Trafford's efforts to crack down on the problem - but said they did not have enough enforcement officers.
"The drivers come from across Greater Manchester and beyond, so a team of 20 enforcement officers, with two from each borough, could really help tackle the problem on match days", he said. Mr Connaught said he had been in talks with licensing chiefs in the run-up England's test match against New Zealand at Old Trafford cricket ground.
He said: "We expected last year's problem again, but enforcement officers were put at the ground and it worked well.
"They kept the private hire from plying their trade.
"There were some problems at peak times, with private hire cars from other areas, but we were able to police it ourselves."
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