NEWS DATE: 13 December 2018
Basingstoke taxi driver worked without a licence
A Basingstoke taxi driver who continued to work after his licence was revoked has been fined £200.
Mohsen Arfa, of Margaret Road, South Ham, was prosecuted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on 13th December 2018, after he had his licence removed by the council’s licensing sub-committee.
Mr Arfa was issued with a revocation notice following a complaint to the borough council, but continued driving without a licence.
He was then seen plying for hire at a taxi rank in the town by borough council licensing officers and refused to provide his licence badge to them. The licensing officers ensured that he did not carry any passengers.
Mr Arfa was found guilty of plying for hire without a hackney carriage driver's licence and refusing to return his revoked driver’s badge.
He was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £600 costs.
Cabinet member for regulatory services, councillor Hayley Eachus said:
“We are proud of the high standards of licensed drivers and vehicles working across the borough. This driver had his licence revoked because he fell short of those standards and then tried to carry on working. Licensing officers took swift action to ensure public safety was protected. This is the busiest time of year for the hackney carriage and private hire trade and it is important that people feel safe and secure when hiring a taxi.”.