Taxi Driver Online

The Star (Sheffield)

December 26, 2007

Minibus for kids was not insured

A TAXI driver has lost his licence after he used an uninsured minibus to transport children home from school.

Michael Macdonald, aged 43, of Pembroke Road, Dronfield, used an uninsured minibus and an unlicensed driver to transport children from Pennyacres Primary School in Holmesfield, Chesterfield.

At the time of the offence his firm, Mac's Taxis, had a contract with Derbyshire County Council to transport children from school to home.

The offences came to light following a complaint from a member of the public.

North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates Court heard the vehicle did not have a valid private hire vehicle licence and was, therefore, uninsured.The driver did not have a valid private hire driver's licence.

The uninsured vehicle belonged to Mac's Taxis which was owned by Macdonald. He has now ceased trading as a private hire operator.

Macdonald pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed vehicle for private hire, operating a vehicle for private hire with an unlicensed driver, and causing a motor vehicle to be used without insurance.

He was sentenced to 50 hours' unpaid work, reduced from 75 following his guilty plea, and his driving licence was endorsed with eight penalty points. He has also been banned from driving for six months.

The driver Kenneth Wheatley, 68, of Cheetham Avenue, Unstone Green, Chesterfield pleaded guilty to using an unlicensed vehicle for private hire, driving a private hire vehicle without a private hire driver's licence, and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

He was sentenced to 40 hours' unpaid work, reduced from 60 following the guilty plea, and his driving licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.
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