Taxi Driver Online

October 11, 2007 Thursday

The Echo

Limo firm's fines spark blazing row

Neil Speight

A FIREFIGHTER who hires out an old fire engine as a novelty limousine for nights on the town has been fined for using an unlicensed driver.

Jason Butcher, of the Blazing Squad private hire company, has been fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 costs by Basildon magistrates.

The fire engine limo is licensed by Thurrock Council as a private hire vehicle and should only be chauffeured by drivers who hold an official council private hire licence.

On the night it was pulled over by police and Thurrock Council licensing officers at the Plough Motel, on the A128 at Bulphan, it was being driven by fellow firefighter Chris Walton.

A council statement said: "The council stopped a fire engine, licensed by us, because we did not recognise the driver as being a licensed driver. The driver was cautioned at the scene. Butcher was contacted the next day and interviewed under caution."

Officials say he must still face the council's public protection sub-committee so it can decide if he is a fit and proper' person to hold a badge'.

But Mr Butcher, of Trent, East Tilbury, thinks the council has blown the matter out of all proportion.

He explained: "I was down to drive, but at the last minute I was unavailable.

"Legally, we should have cancelled and let the kids down, but I know this driver.

"I trust him and he is a serving fireman whose job is to save lives, not put them at risk.

"Therefore I felt it was safe in this instance to use him."

He added: "I got caught out and fined, but I accepted it.

"We made one mistake by not cancelling this prom at the last minute and the council has taken us to court, fined us and threatened to stop us operating.

"A warning would have sufficed."

Wendy Herd, councillor responsible for public protection, disagreed.

She said: "The council takes this matter seriously. The safety of residents is paramount.

"Prom night is special for many reasons, and our licensing officers work tirelessly to ensure such a night is remembered for all the right reasons.

"This sends a message to drivers who are not licensed that they will be caught.
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Hope they never need a fire putting out!!!!

Did the driver get prosecuted

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07K29Fc15U

What you have to remember here is the fact that if this driver had not of been caught you could guarantee that it would of happened time after time, and if this guy says it would not of done i would call him an outright liar

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

I bet you would use stronger words than that.

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Grandad,

The law, Mr Fireman, even applies to you.

The fact that you knew the driver means f*** all, and I'm only surprised the driver wasn't prosecuted for illegally picking up, and for not having the right insurance.

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IDFIMH

That will probably be next weeks court case.

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Grandad,

October 17, 2007 Wednesday

Council defend action over limo licence

Thurrock Gazette

THURROCK Council officials have hit back after accusations that they have been petty and vindictive in prosecuting a firefighter.

Last week the Gazette reported on the case of Jason Butcher, owner of Blazing Squad Private Hire Company, which operates a converted fire engine as a limousine, after he was fined for allowing an unlicensed driver to take charge of the vehicle.

Mr Butcher was upset and criticised the council, alleging that they were deliberately making it difficult for drivers to get licenses.

That prompted a further response from the council who, through its spokesperson Luke Walsh, said: "Luckily, the Council stopped the driver before an accident could happen, but if it had, as an unlicensed driver he would have invalidated the insurance Mr Butcher had on the vehicle.

"Thurrock Council would like to state that the driver has made an application for a private hire licence but has not had a CRB, DVLA, Group 2 Medical checks or completed a local knowledge test, which is mandatory for all private hire vehicle drivers in Thurrock.

"Therefore, it is a crime for him to drive the vehicle, a crime which was punished by Basildon Magistrates Court last month.

"This incident was not a one off' since being licenced by Thurrock Council Mr Butcher has been interviewed on more than one occasion about his licensing conditions and following this last incident the Council informed him that there was no other choice but to recommend criminal proceedings.

"Thurrock Council holds the safety and well-being of residents as our top priority."

Mr Butcher and his driver are both firefighters in London, and Essex Fire and Rescue Service have asked us to point out that they are not in the employment of the county brigade.
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Well if you are going to use an unlicensed driver in ANY private hire vehicle and you get caught, you only have yourself to blame.

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Grandad,