Taxi driver flouted sign as he picked up fare, 93A taxi driver broke the law when he went to pick up a frail 93-year-old woman passenger.
Terence Chaplin drove through a no entry sign on to a pedestrian zone and was seen by a council official.
Chaplin, 68, of Woodcock Close, Thornton, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a traffic sign.
Lynda Bennett, prosecuting for Blackpool Council, said a public protection officer was carrying out observations on taxis on March 29.
At 1.30pm the official saw Chaplin enter the Promenade from West Street. He had failed to comply with a no entry sign into a pedestrian zone.
Chaplin said he had gone to pick up a 93-year-old woman who had been having lunch at the Mitre pub. At the time the street was completely deserted.
A letter from the woman passenger was read to the court. It stated: “I am a little frail, the taxi was only there a very short time while I walked to the cab. I’m very sorry for being the cause of this fellow being in court.”
He was fined £45 with £100 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates who also put three motoring penalty points on his driving licence.
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