Manchester United sting operation nets second prosecutionA SECOND minicab driver has been convicted following a council sting operation on matchday outside Manchester United Football Club.
At Trafford Magistrates Court on 6 February 2015, Prince Anthony Chukwuma, 40, of Abbey Court, Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, was convicted in his absence of picking up a fare without a booking, driving without insurance and failing to wear his driver's badge.
He was fined a total of £800, given six penalty points on his licence, ordered to pay costs of £453.45 and a victim surcharge of £60.
Mr Anthony was one of a number of private hire drivers caught out by checks conducted at the end of the Manchester United game against Crystal Palace on November 8.
He was approached by two council officers posing as potential customers while parked up on Chester Road.
They confirmed with him that he was free to take them to Piccadilly Station.
The operation was one of a series planned to take place this season in response to reports to the council of widespread problems with illegal plying around the ground on match days.
Executive member for environment and operations, councillor John Reilly said: "This has been an expensive lesson for the taxi driver, one which the council hopes is heeded by other drivers thinking of flouting what are important legal controls.
“The law is clear, only Hackney Carriages can be hailed in the street without a booking. By making illegal pick-ups in this way, private hire drivers invalidate their insurance, put customers at risk and also take business from those operating within the law.
“Trafford Council will not tolerate this and as this case demonstrates, will do everything in its power to crack down on this illegal activity."
source:
http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/ne ... osecution/
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