Taxi Driver Online

Illegal taxi firm forced off roads

An illegal private hire firm has been banned from operating after unlicensed cabs were found taking passengers as far away as Gatwick airport.

Private hire operator Midland Executive Cars, owned by Moses Mononyane of Carlisle Close, Corby, has had all its licences revoked by Corby Council following a licensing panel hearing last week. The action follows a lengthy investigation by licensing officers who found that Mr Mononyane was operating vehicles illegally from Corby.

The investigation began last year when licensing enforcement officers from Kettering Council caught a driver, using one of the vehicles operated by Mr Mononyane, trying to illegally pick up a member of the public.

Mr Mononyane pleaded guilty to two charges of driving an unlicensed car and one charge of operating an unlicensed vehicle at Corby Magistrates' Court in August and was ordered to pay a £200 fine, with £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.The prosecution led to Corby Council deciding to revoke all of the operator's licences on Monday.

Sky Cabs Association in Corby represents the interests of cabbies. Committee member and taxi driver Bob Jones said: "It was a scam. I understand the car parked outside pubs and clubs. When someone came out and asked 'are you a taxi' he said 'yes, jump in'. That was kind of how it worked.

"People don't know whose car they are getting in. If they have an accident, there is no comeback. "I got the registration plate and gave it to the council and they followed it through." Joe Hayes, also from Sky Cabs, said: "We welcome these illegal taxis being taken off the road in Corby. These vehicles were totally unlicensed."

The authority's lead member for environment Cllr Peter McEwan said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working between enforcement officers from Corby and Kettering councils. "This action sends out a clear message that our local authorities will not tolerate anyone operating an illegal business here in Northamptonshire."

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