Unlicensed taxi driver fined over £1,000

A TRANSPORT for London Private Hire driver has been hit with financial penalties totalling more than £1,000 following a covert operation by Licensing Officers from Reading, Fareham, and South Oxfordshire Councils during Reading Festival in August 2024.

Hammad Ashraf Khan Manj of Railway Terrace, Slough, was licensed by Transport for London (TfL) to accept pre-booked fares within the London area. On the evening of 23 August 2024, undercover officers approached Mr Manj’s vehicle on Tessa Road. He agreed to take them to Slough railway station for £35, stating that the doors were open and they could go now.

Despite initially denying any wrongdoing while being interviewed under caution, Mr Manj pleaded guilty to the offence of Plying for Hire on 7 February 2025 at Reading Magistrates Court.

Credited with entering a guilty plea, Mr Manj was fined £576 for the offence of plying for hire. He was additionally handed prosecution costs of £800, and a victim surcharge of £230, bringing the full financial penalties to £1,603.

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

“This is a positive result thanks to the joint efforts of Reading Licensing officers in partnership with our colleagues in Fareham and South Oxfordshire.

“Partnership working like this is more important than ever to uphold the high standards expected of Private Hire drivers and to ensure the safety of our travelling public.

“Reading proudly welcomes over 100,000 visitors during the festival weekend, and their safety remains a top priority.

“I’d like to sincerely thank the officers from Fareham and South Oxfordshire for their assistance with this prosecution.”

ENDS