Rogue minicab driver illegally picked up passengers in Stockport A former minicab driver who failed to renew his licence continued to pose as a legitimate cabbie and picked up passengers illegally for six months.
Mijanur Choudhury was finally caught out by council officers carrying out spot checks on private hire vehicles in Stockport.
Choudhury, from Longsight, was spotted driving the car – which was licensed to be used as a minicab and belonged to a family member – on Station Road in Cheadle Hulme.
The 30-year-old admitted using a private hire vehicle without a valid licence and having no insurance before magistrates in Stockport.
Choudhury, of Old Hall Lane, was a licensed minicab driver in Stockport but he allowed the licence to lapse without renewing it. Speaking after the court hearing, he said that ‘family problems’ meant he had forgotten to renew his licence right away and, when he tried after two weeks, town hall bosses said the delay had been too long and he would have to take the driver’s test again.
Choudhury said retaking the test would be ‘too hard’ so, after a brief stint working at a takeaway, he decided to start driving the minicab again without a licence – and continued doing so for six months.
He added: “Obviously I regret it. It was a silly mistake. I was not thinking straight. I feel stupid. I’ve been thinking about it every day and every night. I’ve almost become depressed.”
Choudhury said he had been a licensed minicab driver for seven years and he was unaware that not having a private hire licence meant his insurance, which he continued to pay, was invalid.
Magistrates gave him eight penalty points on his standard driving licence and ordered him to pay a £120 fine, plus costs of £350 and a victim surcharge of £15, after he admitted the offences – which took place on August 17 last year.
Choudhury said he intended to reapply for a private hire licence. Stockport council confirmed there were no passengers in the car when he was stopped.
They said drivers have to renew their licence before it expires and are advised to do so two months before it runs out.
Coun Chris Gordon, Stockport council’s chair of licensing, environment and safety committee, said: “This case should serve as a warning to illegal drivers acting as a taxi driver without the necessary licence or insurance is something the council takes seriously.
“When we have sufficient evidence, action will be taken against those responsible in order to safeguard the public.”
In Stockport, the cost to renew a private hire driving licence is £75 for a year and £163.50 for three years. The cost to licence a private hire vehicle is £276 for a year.
source:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... up-2207372
Login
Register
FAQ
