Milton Keynes private hire driver has his licence revoked with immediate effect for illegally pickin

A Milton Keynes licenced private hire driver has had his badge revoked after being successfully prosecuted at MK Magistrates’ Court for illegally plying for hire.  Ghulamali Ramazani accepted a £12 trip, which was not pre-booked, from MK Station to Bletchley in July 2018. 

Ramazani, who worked for minicab operator Skyline Taxis was only insured to cover journeys booked first through the firm but agreed to take the £12 job which only hackney carriage drivers are licenced to accept. Milton Keynes Council started an immediate review of his private hire licence following the offence.  Following the review, MK Council revoked Ramazani’s licence with immediate effect. Ramazani attended Court on 6 June and pleaded not guilty to plying for hire and driving without valid motor insurance.

He was found guilty of both offences following a trial. He was fined £240 for plying for hire, given 6 points on his DVLA licence for no insurance, and ordered to pay costs of £800 with a victim surcharge of £30. Councillor Mick Legg, Chair of the Council’s Regulatory (Taxi) Committee said: "This case should highlight to drivers that if they illegally ply for hire then they will be caught. "This driver’s decision, which had followed repeated warnings about his conduct, has cost him his livelihood as a private hire driver. I hope that drivers are getting the message: if they break the law the consequences will be severe." He concluded: "Our priority is public safety when using licensed vehicles. Customers who accept a journey from a private hire vehicle which has not been pre-booked are not insured if they’re involved in an accident – it’s not worth the risk." 

Image: Source; Geograph

Image: Author; Steven Haslington