Private hire drivers fined and slapped with hundreds of pounds worth of costs for picking up plain c

Two private hire drivers in Nottingham were fined for illegally plying-for-hire after picking up police officers. Nottingham Magistrates Court heard both minicab drivers picked up officers wearing plain clothes and drove without the correct hackney carriage insurance cover.

Mustafa Nasserie, 29, was told by the District Judge Leo Pyle that his actions were “for a quick gain and ultimately greed.” The prosecution, Ben Payne, told the court that Mr Nasserie was spotted by an officer at the Queen's Medical Centre on 22 February. According to Nottinghamshire Live, Mr Payne said "He (the officer) asked if he would take him into the city. The defendant asked him where he wanted to go and he said the Trinity Square area. The defendant agreed and both officers got in.” Uniformed police officers then pulled Mr Nasserie over where he admitted plying-for-hire without being licensed as a hackney carriage and having no insurance. District Judge Leo Pyle told him: "You drove your Toyota straight through the licensing laws which are aimed at ensuring all persons are fit and proper, vehicles are safe and ultimately the public are safe. "The only thing I am able to conclude is that this was for a quick gain and ultimately greed." Later that day the courts heard a similar case admitted by 43-year-old Gurnam Taak. He was fined £480 with £85 prosecution costs and a £38 surcharge. The pair each had eight penalty points put on their licences. The judge ordered them to report their court appearances to the councils which issued their private hire licences. In Taak's case, the court heard that he was seen on Friar Lane on the same night. When asked if he was free, he told the police officer that he was waiting for someone. But a few minutes later, Taak told the officer "I can take you," added Mr Payne. Taak said: "At the time, I was very confused because I had some family issues." The officer left after the first conversation but then stood in front of the car. "I felt really intimidated when he came back to me," Taak added.

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