“£25?! Are you joking?!” Wolverhampton-licensed private hire driver fined for illegal pick-ups outside Old Trafford Stadium

A Wolverhampton-licensed private hire driver has been forced to pay more than £3,500 after attempting to pick up passengers outside Old Trafford football stadium without a pre-booked fare.

Ali Imran Shah Shreen, 55, was spotted by Trafford Council Licensing Enforcement Officers on Sir Alex Ferguson Way following Manchester United’s Premier League match against Brentford. Mr Shreen, in a black Toyota Auris, drew attention after a woman was heard exclaiming: “£25?! Are you joking?!”

This prompted officers to approach and question the driver. Mr Shreen was asked several times to produce his private hire driver’s badge, which he initially refused to do. He eventually complied after being warned that refusal could lead to a further offence.

Enquiries confirmed that Mr Shreen had no pre-booked job in place. Only Trafford Council-licensed Hackney Carriages are permitted to pick up passengers without a prior booking within the borough. Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a licensed operator.

When challenged by officers about his actions, Mr Shreen responded: “It was only one time!”

Mr Shreen was later charged and appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court where he was found guilty of illegally plying for hire, failing to wear his driver’s identification badge and obstructing an authorised officer.

He was fined £1,453 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £581 and prosecution costs of £1,500, bringing the total to £3,543.

A Trafford Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring the public are protected, and that the trading environment is fair, protecting consumers and drivers that are licensed to operate in the borough.”