Operation by council and police sees drivers convicted of plying for hire

An enforcement operation by Milton Keynes Council and Thames Valley Police has seen two private hire cab drivers convicted of picking up passengers illegally.

The convictions were secured at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court.

Boubacar Diallo, of Chervil, Beanhill, pleaded guilty to plying for hire in December 2016. He was fined £54 and has to pay costs of £450, with a victim surcharge of £30.

Fazal Subhan, of Runley Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to plying for hire and also to driving without valid motor insurance in March 2017. He was fined £250 and £200 respectively and must pay costs of £476, with a victim surcharge of £30. Mr Subhan also received six licence penalty points.

Council officers posed as members of the public to engage the drivers on journeys in Milton Keynes which had not been pre-booked.

Enforcement officers and police were waiting at the journeys’ ends, since private hire vehicles not booked in advance are not permitted to ply for hire.

The vehicles involved displayed door signs for private hire operator Speedline and were licensed by South Northamptonshire and Aylesbury Vale district councils.

Council regulatory committee chair Catriona Morris said: “These cases will hopefully send a powerful message to the licensed trade and clearly show the consequences that await any licensed driver who fails to follow the law.

“We would urge members of the public not to get into private hire vehicles without a pre-arranged booking for their own safety.”

Mark Smulian