Two Successful Prosecutions for Illegal Private Hire During Reading Festival

READING Council has sent out the clear message that drivers plying for hire illegally in Reading will not be tolerated, with two successful prosecutions in April 2019 relating to offences during Reading Festival in 2018.

On Friday 12th April, Mr Mahboob Choudhry, age 39, of Hill Street, Reading, pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates’ Court of illegally plying for hire. Mr Choudhry was caught plying for hire during Reading Festival last year. At around 5.48pm on 24th August 2018, he was flagged down by an undercover enforcement officer, acting as a customer in Swansea road Reading and he offered to take the officer to Windsor for around £40. Mr Choudhry was ordered to pay £200 costs and £20 victim surcharge. On the same day at Reading Magistrates’ Court, Mr Barbar Khawaja, age 39, of Holberton Road, Reading, failed to attend court, and the offence of plying for hire was proved in his absence. Mr Barbar Khawaja was also caught plying for hire during Reading Festival 2018. At 9.49pm on the 26th August 2018, Mr Khawaja was flagged down by an undercover enforcement officer, acting as a customer in Thames Side Promenade. He offered to take the officer to Maidenhead for around £60. Mr Khawaja was fined £150 and ordered to pay £200 costs plus £20 victim surcharge.

ENDS