A READING man and Transport for London driver has been charged with more than £700 for operating illegally during Reading Festival last year.
Azmat-Hussain Ali, of Branksome Court, Reading, was indentified as illegally plying for hire following a covert operation by Licensing Officers from Reading and South Oxfordshire District Councils.
Mr Ali was licensed by TfL to accept pre-booked fares within the London area when, on the evening of August 25 last year, undercover licensing officers approached Mr Ali’s vehicle on Randolph Road, close to the Reading Festival site.
He agreed to take them to Denmark Street, Wokingham, for £15.
As a private hire driver without a prior booking, Mr Ali was not permitted to pick passengers up from the street, and in doing so, invalidated his insurance.
Mr Ali entered guilty pleas to both offences of plying for hire and using a motor vehicle without insurance at Reading Magistrates Court on March 28.
Presiding Magistrates credited Mr Ali for his guilty plea and admission of the offences to officers at the roadside and during interview.
They also considered the fact that he had no previous convictions.
Mr Ali was fined £240 for the offences of plying for hire and operating without insurance, and his driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.
The court also ordered the payment of prosecution costs of £400, and a victim surcharge of £96, bringing the full financial penalties to £736.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “This is the second successful prosecution resulting from our partnership work with South Oxfordshire over the Festival period, and I’d like to thank the officers again for their efforts.
“We’re proud to welcome more than 100,000 visitors to our town over the festival period, and they’re entitled to trust that their driver is properly vetted, authorised, checked, and licensed.
“While the convenience of a cheap fare may be tempting for customers, unlicensed drivers have no safeguards in place, both for the individuals and for their journey.
“Any customer with concerns about taxi or private hire drivers can report them, in confidence, to us at licensing@reading.gov.uk or via the Council Contact Centre on 0118 937 3787.”
