Council Clampdown on Illegal Plying for Hire at Reading Festival

YET another hackney carriage driver registered with South Oxfordshire District Council has been prosecuted by Reading Borough Council for illegally plying for hire during last year’s Reading Festival.

Tanveer Hussain, age 37, of Blenheim Road, Reading, was found guilty of plying for hire at Reading Magistrates Court on Monday April 29th, following an incident which occurred at last year’s Reading Festival. Reading Magistrate’s Court heard that at 01:06 hours on Saturday August 25th Mr Hussain was flagged down by a covert officer working for Reading Borough Council and quoted him a price to take the passenger to Maidenhead. Mr Hussain denied the charge. He claimed he did not agree to take the passenger to Maidenhead. Mr Hussain told the court that he accepted that a price for the fare was quoted, but claimed he told the passenger that he would need to ring the office to book the taxi. On hearing all the evidence, Magistrates found in favour of the Council. Mr Hussain was fined £300 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and a contribution towards prosecution costs of £350.

Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:

“This was the Council’s third successful prosecution in April involving South Oxfordshire licensed hackney carriage drivers plying for hire during the Reading Festival. Hopefully this sends a clear warning to any drivers considering similar illegal activity at this year’s event.”