Well this is very interesting.
Presumably these were effectively plying for hire scenarios, but the driver tried to book them via the operator he was working for. Not sure about the precise legality of that, but it's been discussed on here plenty of times before. And I'm sure someone on here will know.
But irrespective of the legal minutiae here, it all smacks basically of the operator taking an almighty huff because the driver tried to book the runs in but without having to pay the operator their cut
So they then moaned to the council who, rather than having a word with the driver and maybe suspending him for a short period or just a slapped wrist, took him to the magistrates' court, and the prosecution was successful.
And even though it's not stated what's happened to his badge and plate, very harsh, in my opinion at least.
To be fair, the driver was trying it on a bit. But a gross overreaction from the operator and the council here if you want my opinion. Which you probably don't
(In fact, having reread the piece, perhaps I'm being a bit too charitable towards the driver here. Although he did attempt to book the runs in, he should have been aware that the operator was being uncooperative. But I still think the whole thing's an overreaction. Thumbs down for all three parties involved in this process
)Festival fares fine for private hire driver
https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/35739 ... ire-driver
A private hire driver who made bookings to collect people from a popular music festival without being licensed to do so, has appeared in court.
We took legal action against Jagdeep Mahil, of Oakfield Gardens in Peterlee, for collecting fares for Hardwick Live without a private hire operator's licence.
Peterlee Magistrates Court heard that Mahil had a private hire licence but did not have a private hire operator's licence. He was self-employed and took bookings through licensed operator Stanley Travel.
However, our officers were informed by the travel company that Mahil had been personally contacting Stanley Travel to make his own bookings for Hardwick Live.
Failing to provide details
On investigating the bookings for the event, only two of the ten included the required customer name, telephone number and destination address.
Phone records captured Mahil asking staff to remove his number from the records and list the fare as zero. He also failed to provide details of customer contacts and drop off destinations.
Stanley Travel confirmed that its terms and conditions require customers to make bookings themselves, and that the company will not accept bookings made by drivers who do not possess a private hire operator's licence.
Court hearing
In an interview with us, Mahil told officers that he thought he could make phone bookings himself and had asked the call handler to list the fare as zero as he did not want to pay commission to Stanley Travel.
Mahil, 37, was found guilty of operating a private hire vehicle without a private hire operator's licence.
He was ordered to pay a £660 fine, £380 costs and a £264 victim surcharge, totalling £1,304.
Ensuring safety of passengers
Tracey Johnson, our consumer protection strategic manager, said: "Licensed drivers must respond to bookings received from properly licensed operators. Operator‑controlled bookings create a verified audit trail which ensures the safety of passengers, complies with insurance, and provides clear accountability if an incident or complaint arises.
"We'd like to express our thanks to Stanley Travel for following its legal obligation as a private hire operator and doing its due diligence by checking booking records and bringing Mr Mahil's activity to our attention.
"We'd also like to remind the public of how important it is that people make bookings themselves and directly with an operator. This strives to ensure public safety by creating a record of the booking."