A READING private hire driver has been ordered to pay more than £3,700, and given points on his licence for a series of offences during last year’s Henley Regatta.
Sakhawat Mushtaq, 35 and of Callington Road, was found guilty of illegally plying for hire, driving without insurance, failing to wear his council-issued badge, and failing to display the council-issued vehicle plate, following a joint operation between Reading Borough Council and South Oxfordshire District Council licensing officers in July last year.
Officers from the two councils were conducting patrols in Henley where they saw Mr Mushtaq’s Blue Toyota Prius parked illegally on double yellow lines outside the Relais Hotel.
An officer approached Mr Mushtaq and asked if he could take them to Reading Railway Station. Mr Mushtaq replied saying he was available and could do the journey immediately for £40.
Upon further investigation, it was found Mr Mushtaq was licensed with Fareham Borough Council, and only insured to carry out pre-booked work through a licensed private hire operator.
He was not permitted to pick up passengers off the street without a booking being in place.
At a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on May 12, Mr Mushtaq pleaded not guilty to three offences of illegally plying for hire, driving without insurance and failing to wear his council-issued badge.
However, magistrates disagreed.
Mr Mushtaq was convicted by magistrates on four counts, and hit with financial penalties of £3,744, including fines of £1,960. He was also given six penalty points and ordered to pay a £784 victim surcharge.
The verdict pleased Cllr John Ennis, Lead Member for Climate Strategy and Transport at Reading Borough Council, who said it was a great result and down to the diligence of the council’s licensing team working with their counterparts from South Oxfordshire.
“Unfortunately, we do come across some private hire drivers who think they are above the rules and keen to make a quick profit, I sincerely hope the outcome of this case will serve to further deter any drivers from contravening the law,” he said.
“Such illegal activity will not be tolerated and our team of licensing officers will continue to maintain their vigilant enforcement activities.”
