Out-of-area private hire driver PROSECUTED for illegal plying-for-hire during Cheltenham race week
- Perry Richardson
- 37 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Cheltenham Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a private hire driver who illegally accepted passengers from the roadside during Cheltenham’s race week.
On Monday 29 September 2025, Mr Aneel Hussain, a private hire driver licensed by Tewkesbury Borough Council, pleaded guilty at court to plying for hire and driving without valid insurance.
The incident took place on 14 March 2025 outside the Queen’s Hotel. Licensing officers from Cheltenham Borough Council, working with Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Taxi Compliance Officer, PC Quinton, stopped Mr Hussain’s vehicle after noticing faulty lights. Checks revealed the passengers had not pre-booked the journey and had instead agreed a fare directly at the roadside.
As a result, Mr Hussain was fined £230 for plying for hire, £346 for driving without insurance, and a £230 victim surcharge was applied. He also received eight penalty points on his driving licence. Court costs of £1,157.50 were awarded to Cheltenham Borough Council.
The case was brought forward by the council’s licensing team, with support from its Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit and One Legal, a shared legal service used by Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury councils.
The council said the case highlights the risks posed by drivers who operate outside licensing rules, particularly during busy events such as Cheltenham Festival.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, Cheltenham Borough Council’s cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “Cheltenham Borough Council is committed to ensuring the safety and legality of taxi and private hire services in our community. This successful prosecution sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activity in our town and will take decisive action to protect Cheltenham residents and our visitors. We are also committed to working with our partner agencies to ensure that Cheltenham is a safe town to visit during festival season and all year round.
“I would like to thank our licensing team, the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, and One Legal for their diligent work in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”
