Safety alert after bogus taxi driver fined £200

Stephen Falkingham, 51, of Post Office Cottages in Sheffield Road, Oxspring, admitted driving an unlicensed private hire vehicle, not having a private hire drivers licence, operating as a private hire operator without the requisite licence and also driving without valid insurance.

Following complaints from private hire companies in Penistone, enforcement staff from Barnsley Council carried out an operation in September last year to target illegal vehicles and drivers in the town.

Officers booked Falkingham, who then drove them from Penistone town centre to Cubley Hall. He was then confronted by the council officers and admitted to working illegally.

At magistrates' court Falkingham was later fined 200 and had his driving licence endorsed with eight points. In addition, he was ordered to pay costs of 400 and a victim surcharge of 15.

Coun Charles Wraith, chairman of Barnsley Council's regulatory licensing board, said: "In this case information was received from members of the taxi and private hire trade in Barnsley which assisted with the prosecution and I would like to thank them for their assistance.

"The court has once again sent a strong message to people who think they are above the law and seek to put the safety of passengers at risk.

"The council's regulatory services officers will continue to take robust and proportionate enforcement action to protect public safety and the interests of legitimate operators.

"I would like to remind the public that they should always use licensed taxis and private hire vehicles for their journeys, as both the drivers and vehicles are regularly checked by the council to ensure that public safety is maintained."