FIT AND PROPER
SPEEDING WILMSLOW PH DRIVER SPARED BAN TO PROTECT LIVELIHOOD AND FAMILY HOME
A Wilmslow PH driver, Mohammed Akhtar, 64, has successfully avoided a driving ban despite being caught speeding, after magistrates accepted arguments of “exceptional hardship” that would be caused to his family. Akhtar pleaded guilty on April 23 to exceeding the 40mph speed limit
in Manchester on October 5, 2023, while driving a Skoda Octavia. On 18 May, at Bolton Magistrates’ Court, magistrates chose not to impose a ‘totting’ disqualification after hearing that a driving ban would lead to the loss of his job and put his family home at risk due to
an inability to meet
mortgage payments. The court was also told Akhtar “supports the local community assisting elderly people unpaid taking them to/from appointments.” Akhtar was fined £461, ordered to pay a £184 victim surcharge and £120 in costs. His driving licence was also endorsed with four points.
N. KESTEVEN COUNCIL’S ACTION VINDICATED AS CABBIE LOSES LICENCE AFTER REPEATED SPEEDING
A Sleaford taxi driver, Enus Karim, has permanently lost his licence, concluding an extended legal battle that upheld North Kesteven DC’s decision to revoke his licence. The saga began in October 2023 when Mr. Karim was initially issued a hire driver licence despite having three speeding convictions. In June 2024, after committing two
more speeding offences on conse- cutive days, the council deemed him “no longer a fit and proper person to hold his Hire Driver Licence due to his propensity to speed and put passengers and road users at increased risk,” and revoked his licence. Mr. Karim challenged this decision, at Boston Magistrates’ Court in
December 2024, where his appeal was dismissed, then
to Lincoln
Crown Court, which was heard on May 2, 2025. The Crown Court judge again dismissed his appeal, endorsing the council’s actions. Karim is no longer licensed to operate and has been ordered to pay the council’s costs of £800 for the two appeals he initiated.
WELSHPOOL CABBIE IS FINED BUT AVOIDS BAN AFTER DRIVING WITHOUT DUE CARE OR ATTENTION
A Welshpool taxi driver has narrowly avoided a driving ban after being found guilty of driving without due care and attention. Keith Bonner, 57, accumulated eight penalty points, leaving him just one point away from a ban, for an incident on March 20 last year where he was seen reversing into oncoming traffic and then later forcing an elderly man to take evasive action on a zebra crossing in Welshpool town centre. Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard that PC Hendleman
28
witnessed Bonner’s substandard driving and when the officer attempted to explain the traffic violations – driving the wrong way on a one-way system and failing to stop at a zebra crossing – Bonner reportedly became “verbal and argumentative.” The prosecutor highlighted that the offences were aggravated by Bonner’s professional status as a taxi driver and the potential harm to the pedestrian. The court also noted Bonner already had three points on his licence for speeding.
Representing himself, Bonner contested the charges and argued losing his licence would impede his access to hospital appoint- ments due to mobility issues. Chair of the magistrates’ Anthony Jackson stated: “You were found guilty because you endangered a pedestrian, however, we will treat this with benevolence with your hospital treatment. You have got to drive within the law at all times.” Bonner was ordered to pay £902 to the court,
including a victim surcharge, fine, and costs. JUNE 2025 PHTM
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