AN UNLICENSED taxi driver has been fined after plying for hire illegally in Reading.
Hammad Ashraf Khan Manj, of Slough, has been served penalties of over £1,000 after a covert operation by licensing officers found him operating outside of his license last summer.
While he was licensed by Transport for London to work in the capital, on August 23, 2024, undercover officers approached Mr Manj’s vehicle on Tessa Road suring Reading Festival when he agreed to take them to Slough train station.
Despite initially denying any wrongdoing while being interviewed under caution, Mr Manj pleaded guilty to the offence of Plying for Hire on February 7 at Reading Magistrates Court.
Credited with entering a guilty plea, Mr Manj was fined £576 for the offence of plying for hire as well as prosecution costs of £800 and a victim surcharge of £230, bringing the full financial penalties to £1,603.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “This is a positive result thanks to the joint efforts of Reading Licensing officers in partnership with our colleagues in Fareham and South Oxfordshire.
“Partnership working like this is more important than ever to uphold the high standards expected of Private Hire drivers and to ensure the safety of our travelling public.
“Reading proudly welcomes over 100,000 visitors during the festival weekend, and their safety remains a top priority.
“I’d like to sincerely thank the officers from Fareham and South Oxfordshire for their assistance with this prosecution.”
