Illegal taxi driver fined at court

A man has been fined after being spotted driving a taxi in Burnley without a private hire licence.
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Abdul Majeed, of Albert Street, Brierfield, pleaded guilty driving a private hire vehicle without a current licence, and guilty to using a vehicle without insurance. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £30 victim surcharge by Burnley magistrates. He also had eight penalty points put on his driving licence.

The court was told that Majeed held a private hire driver’s licence between October 2012 and October 2015. However, when he applied to renew his licence the application was refused by Burnley Council, a decision upheld by magistrates on appeal.

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On May 12th this year a council officer was at a Burnley petrol station when he saw a Vauxhall Vectra car displaying private hire signage at one of the pumps. He recognised Majeed who put fuel in the car, paid up and then drove off in it.

Majeed was subsequently asked to attend an interview under caution but despite several requests he refused to make himself available or keep appointments, the magistrates were told.

In July a council officer spoke to the operator of the private hire firm involved who said he had been on holiday at the time of the offence and knew nothing about it.

He confirmed Majeed did not have permission or authority to drive the private hire vehicle. As such Majeed was not insured to drive it.