Another Rossendale vehicle caught at ASDA Hulme.

Cabbie picks up £765 fine

A cab driver has been fined £765 after being caught illegally plying for hire in Manchester.

Zameer Ahmed, whose hackney carriage licence was granted by Rossendale Borough Council, pleaded guilty to the offence at Manchester Magistrates Court on 11 January.

Under current law, Ahmed is allowed to accept pre-booked journeys through private hire operators licensed by Manchester, despite the fact that his driving and vehicle licences were issued by Rossendale.

Ahmed, 28, of Margaret Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, was working at the ASDA supermarket on Princess Road in Hulme when council officers spotted him accepting passengers for a journey which had not been pre-booked.

Enquiries showed that Ahmed was working for a Manchester-based operator, but on this occasion, he accepted a fare that had not been pre-booked through that operator.

Ahmed was fined £250 and ordered to pay £500 costs, plus a £15 victim surcharge.

Executive member for the environment, Councillor Nigel Murphy, said: “Manchester has very high safety standards and our hackney carriage drivers are subject to thorough safety checks, as well as rigorous ‘knowledge’ tests. Our officers will take action against those who break the law by coming into the city to work illegally.”