Taxi Driver Online

Blackburn taxi driver fined for smoking inside vehicle in Chorley

A taxi driver from Blackburn has been fined and ordered to pay a surcharge after smoking inside his vehicle.

Rana Faisal Jameel, 49, was seen to be smoking a cigarette in his Blackburn with Darwen Council licensed taxi by Chorley Council officers whilst they were carrying out checks on a licensed premises on Eaves Lane, Chorley, on October 31, 2022.

A licensed vehicle such as a taxi is considered to be a smoke-free place for the purposes of the Health Act 2006 and it is an offence to smoke in a smoke-free place.

Jameel, of Logwood Street, Blackburn, was issued with a fixed penalty notice requiring him to pay a fine.

Despite attempts to contact him by both Chorley Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council licensing officers, he failed to pay the fine.

Jameel was therefore prosecuted by Chorley Council via the Single Justice Procedure, with Blackburn with Darwen Council assisting with the case by providing a witness statement.

After failing to respond to the notice, Jameel was found guilty in absence at magistrates' court and was sentenced to a fine of £220, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £88, plus Council’s costs of £150, for a total amount of £458.

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IDFIMH

The fixed penalty would have been less than £100, possibly £60.

Yet this numpty knows better and his decision to do nothing has increased his final bill to £458, and the courts have mega powers to get the money including clamping, or in the worst case prison.

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IDFIMH

there are many amongst the Asian community that believe if they pretend to be out of the country or switch areas or similar that the law won't catch up with them.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

In our area it is only £50 discounted to £30 if paid within 14 days.