Cheshire East sends out strong signal to out-of-town taxi drivers

A man has been convicted of ‘plying for hire’ as a result of intervention from two licensed Cheshire East taxi drivers.

Majid Mahmood,43, of Williamson Street in Stoke-on-Trent, was approached by a customer in February for a ride outside Crewe railway station after the customer had initially approached the two licensed drivers. 

Mahmood was challenged and warned that what he was doing was against the law, but he refused to give up his fare and drove off with his passenger at high speed, the court heard. Mahmood pleaded guilty at Crewe Magistrates Court on 15 October to the offence and was ordered to pay a total of £546 in fines, a victim surcharge and legal and investigation costs.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said:

“I sincerely hope that this sends out a very clear message that we will not tolerate drivers illegally collecting fares in our borough.

“There’s also another very important message here on public safety. If you need to book a taxi in the borough, you will always be better served looking for a vehicle that has been licensed to work in the borough. Any vehicle licensed by Cheshire East Council displays a Cheshire East licence plate on the front and rear of the vehicle". 

This is the second recent successful prosecution for ‘plying for trade’ brought by the council, after a similar case in August.