South Oxfordshire Taxi Driver Fined for Illegally Plying for Hire in Reading
- South Oxfordshire District Council licensed taxi driver was found guilty at Reading Magistrates Court in December
- He was ordered to pay £732 in financial penalties and had six penalty points added to his driving licence
A SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council licensed taxi driver has been hit with a financial penalty of just over £700, after illegally plying for hire in Reading.
Mr Muhammad Ibrahim, of Keswick Gardens, Woodley – who holds a joint Hackney Carriage & Private Hire licence with South Oxfordshire District Council - was found guilty of illegally plying for hire and operating without insurance on 7th March 2020, after agreeing to take a fare from a Council Officer without a formal booking. Mr Ibrahim was also unable to produce his badges when requested of him at the roadside.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday 18th December, Mr Ibrahim was found guilty and ordered to pay a total of £732 in financial penalties, including a £200 fine, legal costs of £500, and a £30 victim surcharge. Six penalty points were also added to his driving licence.
Cllr Tony Page, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:
“This is an excellent result from the Council’s licensing team who work hard to enforce regulations in place to protect the travelling public.
“Reading’s taxi and private hire drivers are facing an absolutely dismal time at present, with very low levels of business in the town.
“I hope that this judgement will deter any drivers thinking of working illegally in Reading, as such activity will not be tolerated, and every opportunity will be taken to prosecute those who contravene the laws.”
Test purchases and spot checks are carried out to protect the public by ensuring drivers and vehicles meet the standards set by Reading Borough Council and current taxi legislation.
ENDS