Fake cabbie, Daryl Briggs of Chatsworth Gardens, Newcastle has been caught in the act after clocking up over 190 fares in his ‘taxi’.
Briggs, 35, claims that he applied for a private hire licence which Newcastle City Council has never received. Then despite never being approved for a licence, he started to drive for the city’s NODA Taxis.
Driving Ban
At a court hearing in Newcastle Magistrates Court, the bogus cabbie pleaded guilty to driving without a private hire driver’s licence, failing to observe a legal notice and driving with no insurance. It also became apparent that Mr Briggs had been disqualified from driving on two previous occasions in recent years.
The Crown Prosecution Service ordered him to pay a £220 fine as well as £200 in costs and a £20 victim fee. He has also been banned from driving for two years.
“Appalling Case”
Chair of Safe Newcastle, an initiative to cut down crime and anti-social behaviour in the city, Linda Hobson said: “This is a truly appalling case.
“The safety of the travelling public is of the highest priority to Newcastle City Council and its partners. The consequences of this man having an accident with passengers in his car while driving with no licence and no insurance don’t bear thinking about.
“I hope this prosecution and the sentence handed down by magistrates will send a clear message to anyone masquerading as a taxi driver that the city council will take you to court and you will be punished.
“This two-year ban will give him ample time to reflect on the seriousness of his crimes. The council’s taxi licensing enforcement officers will continue to work hard to protect the travelling public.”