Not the first time stories like this have emerged from the reading area
https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/24259355.reading-taxi-driver-must-pay-2-900-illegally-work/
A PH driver has been slapped with a substantial fine after being caught operating illegally in Reading town centre.
Saleem Raza, 63, of Cressingham Road, Reading, was caught without a licence and illegally offering to drive people home without a prior booking in a council sting operation.
He has now been hit with costs totalling £2,900 and given eight penalty points on his driving licence.
In the early hours of the morning after a busy Saturday night, Mr Raza was parked in West Street outside a late-night food takeaway, an area known to Council licensing officers for drivers illegally plying for hire.
Mr Raza was approached by a licensing officer and agreed to take them to Tilehurst for £15 without the required prior booking.
After a court hearing, he was fined £1,000 for the offence of plying for hire.
He was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £400.