Hackney Carriage drivers have been fined for illegally picking up undercover Council officers on an international match day at Emirates Old Trafford and before a Manchester United game.
The pair pleaded guilty to illegally plying for hire and use of a motor vehicle without insurance at Manchester Magistrates Court on 2 April in a prosecution brought by Trafford Council.
On Friday 25 July last year, Council’s Licensing Enforcement officers were on patrol as England played India at Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Just after 10am on Talbot Road, they spotted a white Hackney Carriage, licensed by Manchester City Council, with its ‘taxi’ for hire sign illuminated.
When officers spoke with the driver, Mr Aamar Shahzad Ahmed, 47, of Esmond Road, Manchester, he agreed to take them into the city centre.
However, as they set off, officers identified themselves and asked him to pull over. Mr Ahmed later claimed that picking the officers up had been ‘an impulse thing’.
Mr Ahmed pleaded guilty to unlicensed ply for hire, driving without proper insurance and failure to wear his driver identification badge. He was fined £346, with a surcharge of £138 and a £100 contribution to costs as well as eight points on his driving licence.
On 9 August, team members were out again near the Old Trafford football stadium for Manchester United’s pre-season game with Fiorentina.
Just after 12pm, outside the Bishop’s Blaize pub, officers approached a black Hackney Carriage, licensed by Manchester City Council.
When officers spoke with the driver, Mr Khalid Mahmood, 60, of Hembury Avenue, Burnley, he agreed to take them into the city centre.
However, after getting in and identifying themselves they asked him to pull over. Mr Mahmood asked for a warning only and admitted he had made a mistake. Mr Mahmood plead guilty to unlicensed ply for hire and driving without proper insurance. He was £400, with a surcharge of £160 and £100 contribution to costs as well as eight points on his driving licence.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said:
“This is another example of a wider problem on matchdays with drivers from other areas illegally looking for fares. This court prosecution shows our officers are watching and will take action.
“Only Hackney Carriages licensed by Trafford Council are permitted to pick up fares without a booking. These drivers committed the offence of illegally plying for hire and, in doing so, invalidated their insurance.
“Trafford’s Hackney Carriage drivers work hard to provide transport for those who need it in the borough. This type of behaviour puts public safety at risk and is illegal. Our Licensing Enforcement Team works to support drivers who follow the rules properly and to make sure passengers ride safely, with insurance in place.”