Southampton taxi driver fined after offering illegal rides in Reading

A Southampton City Council-licensed private hire driver has been ordered to pay £1,274 in fines and costs after Reading Licensing officers caught him illegally plying for hire in West Reading.

Mr Abdalgadar Yaqoub, of Waterloo Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates Court on 18 September 2026 and was convicted of two offences.

The court heard how in the early hours of 25 April 2026, council licensing officers conducting a test purchase operation approached Mr Yaqoub’s vehicle on Belmont Road, where he agreed to take them to Dee Road in Tilehurst, without the required prior booking.

Although Mr Yaqoub is a licensed Private Hire driver, the conditions of his licence only entitle him to accept pre-booked fares. Any rides accepted without a prior booking invalidate his insurance, putting passengers at risk in the event of an accident.

At sentencing, Mr Yaqoub was fined £553 for operating without insurance and handed six penalty points on his driving licence. For the offence of plying for hire, he was given no separate penalty. He was also required to pay a victim surcharge of £221, as well as a contribution towards the prosecution costs of £500.

Mr Yaqoub pleaded guilty and was convicted of: Use of a motor vehicle without insurance, contrary to Section 143(1)(a) and Section 143(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988; and Plying for Hire, Contrary to Section 45 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“The safety of our travelling public is of paramount importance.

“Customers are entitled to trust the person driving is properly vetted, authorised, checked, and licensed. Illegal taxi rides pose significant risks, allowing unvetted drivers to pick up passengers in untraceable and often uninsured journeys.

“These activities undermine the licensing system, compromise safety and deprive legitimate taxi drivers of work. Unlicensed drivers will always be robustly dealt with to maintain public confidence and ensure safety in our nighttime economy.”

Any customer who has any concerns about taxi or private hire drivers can report them in confidence to us at licensing@reading.gov.uk or through the Council Contact Centre on 0118 937 3787.

ENDS