Cheltenham Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a private hire driver who illegally picked up passengers during Cheltenham’s busy race week.
On Monday, 29 September, Aneel Hussain – a licensed private hire driver with Tewkesbury Borough Council – pleaded guilty to plying for hire without a booking and driving without valid insurance.
Mr Hussain was stopped on 14 March this year by a Cheltenham Borough Council licensing officer and PC Quinton, Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Taxi Compliance Officer. His vehicle, which had defective lights, was pulled over outside the Queen’s Hotel after passengers admitted agreeing a roadside fare.
At Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court, Hussain was fined £230 for illegally plying for hire and £346 for driving without insurance. He was also ordered to pay a £230 victim surcharge and £1,157.50 in costs. Eight penalty points were added to his licence.
The case was brought by Cheltenham Borough Council’s licensing team, with support from its Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit and One Legal.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, 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.”
The council is encouraging residents to report concerns about unlicensed taxi activity by emailing licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk.