A taxi driver from Bristol has been fined £175 and ordered to pay around £700 in costs for operating illegally in South Gloucestershire.
On Tuesday 6 October North Avon Magistrates Court found Abdirahman Omar Ali guilty of trying to pick up fares in a district where he was not licensed to operate.
Mr Ali, of Arley Hill, Bristol did not appear at the hearing.
The successful prosecution follows a crackdown on taxis operating illegally which was carried out by the council’s licensing officers earlier this year.
The crackdown was a joint operation which was carried out at the University of the West of England’s (UWE) Frenchay Campus and involved trading standards and licensing officers from South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council and officers from Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Random checks were also carried out on taxi drivers and vehicles licensed from other districts plying ‘for hire’ within South Gloucestershire. Taxis from outside of the district must be pre-booked.
Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “This is a good result for South Gloucestershire Council which will continue to carry out regular checks within the district in order to ensure both the taxi trade operating in South Gloucestershire and the public are protected from illegal practices.
“It is right that only vehicles authorised to operate within South Gloucestershire are able to do so and this prosecution goes to show that this type of practice will not be tolerated.”
Members of the public who have any concerns regarding this issue can get advice from licensing on 01454 864134 or email licensing@southglos.gov.uk.
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
