Minicab driver fined £525 for operating illegally during Cheltenham's Gold Cup weekMinicab drivers have been warned to comply with the law during race week in Cheltenham.
A minicab driver operating illegally during Cheltenham's Gold Cup week has been fined £525 in court.
The borough council prosecuted private hire driver Alderito Queiros Balde for unlawfully plying his trade in the borough.
In March this year, during the town's National Hunt Festival, officers from both Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council were working in partnership to monitor the licensable activities in the borough.
Gloucester licensed private hire driver Balde was seen by enforcement officers unlawfully picking up customers.
Whilst waiting to pick up customers who had pre-booked a journey, Balde was approached by another group of people who asked him to take them to Swindon.
He initially refused, stating that he was waiting for a pre-booked fare but later agreed to take them to Cheltenham Spa railway station where they could catch a train to Swindon.
At this point, licensing enforcement officers approached Balde's vehicle and informed him that he should not be accepting the journey because it was not booked in advance and that by doing so he may be committing an offence.
Despite the warning, Balde did not ask these customers to exit the vehicle.
He was summoned to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court for offences committed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and Town Police Clause Act 1847.
Balde was found guilty of all offences listed and was fined a total of £525 - £250 for the offences, £250 costs and £25 victim surcharge.
When sentencing, magistrates took into account Balde's guilty plea, the avoidance of a trial and his mitigation.
Councillor Andy McKinlay, the council's cabinet member for development and safety, said: "Unlicensed drivers and vehicles unlawfully plying their trade in the borough puts public safety at risk but also undermines the legitimate licensed trade, especially during a very busy period for them such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup week.
"This prosecution should send a message that drivers and vehicles not properly licensed are not welcome in Cheltenham."
Sarah Hughes, the council's licensing enforcement officer, said: "This prosecution highlights the success of partnership working with our colleagues from other local authorities. It also gives a warning to drivers who wish to capitalise on the additional footfall to Cheltenham during Gold Cup week that we will take action should they operate unlawfully.
"This is just another example of a driver being prosecuted by the council for operating unlawfully during Cheltenham Gold Cup week and as a result we will continue to put additional staff on the streets during major races to monitor such activity.
"The council is currently prosecuting another driver for similar offences and we will continue to enforce licensing law where there is sufficient evidence to support formal action."
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