Court rejects booking claims and convicts cab driver of blagging

A private hire cab driver in Milton Keynes has been convicted of illegally plying for hire (blagging), with the magistrates’ court rejecting his argument that as he had make the booking on behalf of the customer the fare was lawful.

Liyaqat Ali Ravjani of Coffee Hall, Milton Keynes, was also found guilty at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court of driving without valid motor insurance.

He was prosecuted after a joint enforcement operation carried out by Milton Keynes Council’s Taxi Enforcement team and Thames Valley Police in March 2017.

The court heard how officers, acting as members of the public, engaged the driver on a journey which had not been pre-booked by the passenger from one location to another in Milton Keynes.

At the completion of this journey officers from the local authority and the police were waiting. Investigations by council officers showed that the vehicle had not been lawfully pre-booked by the passengers for this journey.

The vehicle was licensed as private hire vehicle by South Northants Council.

Ravjani was fined £75 for plying for hire and £225 for invalid insurance. He was also given 6 DVLA penalty points and has to pay costs of £800, with a victim surcharge of £30.

Cllr Catriona Morris, chair of the Regulatory Committee at Milton Keynes, said: “This case will hopefully send a powerful message to the licensed trade and clearly show the consequences that await any licensed driver who fails to follow the law. We would urge members of the public not to get into private hire vehicles without a pre-arranged booking for their own safety.

“These operations by Milton Keynes Council and Thames Valley Police will continue and shall hopefully minimise, if not eliminate, those drivers carrying out illegal activities within Milton Keynes.”