Peterborough minicab driver banned for illegally picking up passengersA private hire driver from Peterborough has been fined and banned from driving after being found guilty of illegally picking up passengers in the street.
Mohammed Razzaq (42) denied unlawfully plying for hire and having no insurance at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.
However, the court found him guilty of both charges.
Razzaq, of St Paul’s Road, Peterborough, was fined £250 for each offence, ordered to pay prosecution costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £25.
And as he had knowingly conveyed passengers, despite being aware it would invalidate his insurance, the court also disqualified Razzaq from driving for three months.
Unlike Hackney cabs, private hire cars must be pre-booked through the company’s operator and not ply for business on the streets.
However, Razzaq was found doing exactly that in Peterborough in June 2013.
The court was told door staff from Edwards Bar in Peterborough contacted the city council’s CCTV team after spotting a private hire driver shouting comments at female customers, allegedly trying to encourage them to get into his vehicle.
The CCTV operator directed police officers to the scene after observing two young women getting into the vehicle.
Police stopped the vehicle on Lincoln Road.
The council’s licensing team launched an investigation and Razzaq, whose vehicle was registered in Huntingdon, was summonsed to court.
After the hearing, Peterborough City Council licensing manager, Adrian Day, said: “From the initial call from Edwards Bar through to the CCTV team directing police officers and the subsequent licensing team investigation, this was a good example of the various agencies working together to protect the public.”
source:
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news ... -1-6018066
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