Illegally collecting fares in Dunstable has cost a former taxi driver nearly £3,000
Tuesday, 28 March 2023
On 21 March at Luton Magistrates Court, Mr Mohammed Saleem of John Street, Luton, was found guilty of illegally driving a previously licensed taxi without the required taxi driver's badge.
The court heard how our taxi licensing team received information and photos of a previously licenced hackney carriage parked on the West Street taxi rank in Dunstable.
Bedfordshire Police were informed about the vehicle being used as an unlicensed taxi and successfully pulled it over twice in August 2022. On both occasions, they seized the vehicle as the driver was unable to produce valid insurance.
Saleem was given two opportunities to attend a police interview under caution, but he did not respond to either invitation.
Saleem, who also failed to attend Luton Magistrates Court, was found guilty of all offences in his absence. He was fined £1,100, ordered to pay costs of £1,405 and a victim surcharge of £440, a total of £2,945.