Taxi Driver Online

September 27, 2007

UNLICENSED TAXI DRIVER FINED £300

An unlicensed taxi driver and his employer have been prosecuted for operating illegally in Easington.

Ian Whitfield, of The Avenue, Seaham, had been picking up a customer at the Seaton Lane Inn in June when he was stopped by enforcement officers from District of Easington Council.

Whitfield, who did not have a valid hackney carriage driver's licence, had been working for Danny's Taxi's, owned at the time by Sean O'Connor.

The 39-year-old did not appear at Durham Magistrates' Court but entered a guilty plea, stating he had been working on a trial basis and was only on his third shift. He admitted that he did not have the appropriate licence.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

O'Connor, 32, also of The Avenue, was found guilty of employing an unlicensed driver.

He did not attend court, but was fined £600 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Easington District Council, which is responsible for issuing operating licences, carries out daily checks to ensure drivers and their vehicles are properly licensed.

Councillor George Patterson, executive member for liveability, said: "Our major concern, as the licensing authority, is for the safety of our residents".

"We work hard to monitor drivers and operators within the district and will pursue prosecutions against anyone found to be in breach of the law.''
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