GUILTY: Ex-taxi driver caught plying-for-hire on ranks must pay nearly £3,000

A man no longer licensed as a taxi driver must pay nearly £3,000 in fines and costs after being found guilty of illegally collecting fares in Dunstable whilst using an unlicensed taxi.

On 21 March at Luton Magistrates' Court, Mr Mohammed Saleem, was found guilty of illegally driving a previously licensed taxi without the required taxi driver's badge.

The court heard how Central Bedfordshire Council’s taxi licensing team received information and photos of a previously licenced hackney carriage parked on the West Street taxi rank in Dunstable.

Bedfordshire Police were informed about the vehicle being used as an unlicensed taxi and successfully pulled it over twice in August 2022. On both occasions, they seized the vehicle as the driver was unable to produce valid insurance.

Saleem was given two opportunities to attend a police interview under caution, but he did not respond to either invitation.

Saleem, who also failed to attend Luton Magistrates' Court, was found guilty of all offences in his absence. He was fined £1,100, ordered to pay costs of £1,405 and a victim surcharge of £440, a total of £2,945.