A TAXI driver in Reading has been fined and given eight penalty points after plying for hire without a licence.
Mr Adeel Soomro, aged 40 and of Argyle Street, was found to be operating a private hire vehicle without a licence in a controlled district.
He was also driving without the correct insurance.
On Saturday, April 8, Mr Soomra parked in a disabled bay on Oxford Road, which is known to the council licensing officers to be frequented by drivers plying for private hire illegally.
He was approached by officers and agreed to take them to Tilehurst without a prior booking.
He was found guilty of plying for hire and driving without insurance at a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday, November 10.
Mr Soomra was ordered to pay a total of £960 in penalties and eight penalty points were added to his driving license.
In light of the incident, the council is re-iterating warnings about using unlicensed private hire vehicles.
Residents are advised to only travel in private hire cars that have been booked in advance or to flag down black cabs which have the Private Hire or Hackney Carriage licence plates visible.
Unlicensed drivers have no safeguards in place regarding the passenger or the journey, and may not have undergone any of the checks necessary to keep passengers safe.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “This is another positive result for the Council’s licensing team, who work hard to ensure regulations are in force to protect Reading’s travelling public.
“Reading Borough Council will look to prosecute any driver caught Plying for Hire. Such illegal activity will not be tolerated, and our team of licensing officers will continue to maintain their vigilant enforcement activities.”
