Two Successful Prosecutions Send Out Message Illegal Private Hire Activity Will Not be Tolerated

READING Council has sent out the clear message that drivers plying for hire illegally in Reading will not be tolerated, with two successful prosecutions this month.

On Friday 18th January 2019, Mr Abdul Qayyum Siddique, age 52, of London Road Reading, pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates’ Court of illegally plying for hire. Mr Siddique did not have a private hire driver’s licence and also had no insurance. At 9.30am on 20th June 2018, Mr Siddique was spotted outside Reading Station accepting money from a passenger. Council officers approached him and discovered that Mr Siddique was unlicensed. Mr Siddique was fined £100 for plying for hire and has had 8 points added on to his DVLA licence. On the same day at Reading Magistrates’ Court, Mr Najuhullal Rahmanullah, age 32, of Bath Road, Slough, pleaded guilty to illegally plying for hire. On 24th August 2018, during Reading Festival, Mr Rahmanullah, offered to take Council Officers on Richfield Avenue to Windsor, without a booking. Mr Rahmanullah pleaded guilty to plying for hire and was fined £200, with legal costs of £200 and a £30 victim surcharge.

Cllr Tony Page, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:

“Two successful prosecutions this month send out the clear message this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. “Our hard working licensing team carry out regular test purchases and spot checks to protect the public from drivers who are tempted to work illegally and opportunistically in Reading. I hope both these prosecutions serve as a deterrent to others.”

ENDS