Download taxi driver is fined

AN unlicensed taxi driver was caught after offering a ride to a group of council enforcement officers at Download Festival.

Chiman Singh, 39 was fined £250 and given six penalty points after he unwittingly approached North West Leicestershire District Council officers outside the main entrance to the festival in June.

Singh of Gunnersbury Way, Nottingham, approached the officers illegally ‘plying for trade’ by offering to pick them up.

Even more seriously, the driver was not licensed in North West Leicestershire and his insurance was void.

The council’s enforcement officers identified themselves, asked the driver to pull over and explained the seriousness of the offence.

Singh pleaded guilty to not being licensed in the district and to plying for hire at the hearing at Leicestershire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 10.

In mitigation Singh explained that he had been a taxi driver for over 20 years and had demonstrated good behaviour throughout this time.

He also stated that he had a job booked and presumed the officers to be that job.

According to NWLDC he does have a taxi licence from Nottingham City Council to operate there.

Singh was given six penalty points on his driving licence, handed a £250 fine and ordered to pay £100 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

The incident happened on Sunday 11 June.

Coun Alison Smith MBE, deputy leader at NWLDC, said: “Driving without having the correct license, and therefore without insurance, is a serious offence when committed by any motorist.

“For a taxi driver it is even more unacceptable.”