FIT AND PROPER
FINE FOR UNLICENSED DRIVER CAUGHT PLYING FOR HIRE IN ABERDARE
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs. Owen Jenkins, 40, of Mountain Ash, was caught plying for hire without a licence by council enforcement officers last October. He picked up the two women, who
were described as vulnerable,
before being approached by an undercover officer to ask if he could have a lift. Jenkins agreed to take them to a drop off point for a fee. Jenkins was found guilty of plying for hire illegally at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court and ordered to
pay a a £220 fine, £90 victim surcharge and £1,146 in costs. A spokesperson for the licensing department in Rhondda Cynon Taf said: “Unlicensed drivers who undermine that trust will be robustly dealt with to maintain public confidence and ensure public safety.”
SOLIHULL LICENSED CABBIE LOSES APPEAL AFTER LICENCE REVOKED OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT CLAIM
A Birmingham PH driver has lost an appeal to have his licence rein- stated after it was revoked follow- ing sexual assault allegations. Tariq Rehman, 75, from Stechford, had his licence revoked by Solihull Council last November following a complaint from a passenger. Following the revocation, Birm-
ingham Magistrates’ Court heard that Rehman was abusive and threatening to staff at Solihull Council and the PH operator he had been working for.
Mr Rehman then lodged an appeal against the decision. Birmingham Magistrates’ Court upheld the council’s original ruling
on August 12 and ordered Rehman to pay £1,200 in costs. Cllr Wazma Qais, Solihull Council’s cabinet member for Communities, said: “I would like to thank our reg- ulatory services staff for the way they handled this case and also the brave woman who reported the sexual assault.”
UNLICENSED DRIVER FINED AFTER ILLEGALLY OPERATING IN UTTLESFORD
A driver who was found by council enforcement officers operating a vehicle without a private hire licence in Uttlesford has been fined almost £1,500. Peter Garrett, from Saffron Walden, appeared before Chelms- ord Magistrates’ Court on 1 August, and was found guilty on three charges: • acting as the driver of a PHV without having a current licence
• operating a PHV without holding a current licence; and,
• using a motor vehicle without valid insurance.
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The court heard that council enforcement officers were made aware of social media posts published by Mr Garrett which were advertising his services for private hire work under the guise of a private chauffeur. Officers, acting in the capacity of a member of public, called the telephone number and had a booking accepted for a pre-agreed price of £35. Mr Garrett arrived at the agreed pick-up point where he was met by the officers. Mr Garrett did not hold the required licences for this activity
contrary to the law, and as a result he also did not have the approp- riate insurance cover on his vehicle. He was fined £580, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £232 plus costs of £600, totalling £1,412. In addition, 6 penalty points were endorsed on his DVLA licence. Cllr Alex Armstrong, Chair of the council’s Licensing Committee, said: “These are extremely serious offences, and we
hope this
successful prosecution will serve as a warning to others that we will take appropriate action against those who flout the law”.
SEPTEMBER 2024 PHTM
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