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BUSTED OUTSIDE OLD TRAFFORD: Private hire driver caught by undercover officers after agreeing £20 Manchester trip
A private hire driver has been fined and handed six penalty points after undercover licensing officers caught him illegally picking up passengers outside Old Trafford following a Manchester United match.
Abdul Kayum Talukdar, 47, Ashton-under-Lyne, pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 2 October to illegally plying for hire and driving without the appropriate insurance.
The prosecution followed an undercover operation by Trafford Council’s Licensing Enforcement Team after Manchester United’s match against Brighton on 25 October 2025. Talukdar was parked on double yellow lines when he drove towards undercover council officers and lowered his window.
The officers had not made a private hire booking. However, Talukdar agreed to take them into Manchester city centre. When they asked how much the journey would cost, he initially replied “how much will you give me?” before asking for £20.
Shortly after the journey began, the undercover officers revealed they were members of Trafford Council’s Licensing Enforcement Team and instructed Talukdar to pull over. According to the council, the driver pleaded that he was sorry, said it was his “first time” and asked officers not to take him to court, referring to his wife and young children.
Talukdar was subsequently prosecuted at Manchester Magistrates’ Court where he was fined £500, ordered to pay a £200 surcharge and contribute £300 towards costs. He also received six penalty points on his driving licence. The total financial penalty and costs amounted to £1,000.
Cllr Keleigh Glenton, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Community Safety and Civil Contingencies, said: “This court results shows that we take the safety of the public very seriously. Only Hackney Carriages licensed by Trafford Council are permitted to pick up fares without a booking. This driver committed the offence of illegally plying for hire. By doing so, he invalidated his insurance which puts the lives of Trafford residents and visitors at risk.
“Trafford’s Hackney Carriage drivers work hard to provide transport for those who need it in the borough. I want to thank our licensing enforcement team for their commitment to protecting the borough by taking swift and decisive action against illegal activities at one of our most popular visitor destinations.”
