Drivers are fined for picking up passengers

PRIVATE hire taxi drivers have been prosecuted for picking up passengers that had flagged them down.

Craig Heslop, 36, of Bramhall Moor Lane, Hazel Grove, admitted illegally plying for hire and driving without insurance.

He was fined £400 and given six driving licence penalty points with £300 costs.

Mark Shaw, 38, of Winslow Avenue, Mottram, also admitted the same charges at Stockport Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined £300, and given six driving licence penalty points with £200 costs.

Only black cabs can pick up passengers off the street, private hires must be booked.

Both were caught on Heaton Moor Road, Heaton Moor, in an operation by the council and police to check taxis were complying with licence legislation.

Councillor Chris Gordon, chair of the council’s licensing committee, said: “Members of the public should be aware they will be uninsured if they use private hire vehicle without an advance booking.

“The licensing authority undertakes regular operations to clamp down on this practice and we will continue to take robust enforcement action.”