Taxi Driver Online

Driver fined for smoking in taxi

A "stressed" taxi driver who was caught smoking twice in her parked cab must pay £775 in fines and costs.

Mandy Astles had hurled her cigarette out of the driver's window when she was approached by a council licensing official, Llandudno magistrates heard.

She had previously been spotted smoking in her cab by a clerical officer for Conwy Council's licensing department.

Astles, 34, of Llandudno Junction, did not appear in court but the case was proved in her absence.

She was fined £250 for dropping litter, £175 for smoking in the taxi and £160 costs.

Astles must also pay a £15 victims' surcharge.

The court heard she was first spotted smoking in her parked Skoda Octavia cab on 28th February by the official in Llandudno's main street.

She was then spotted lighting up again on 12 March by the Conwy council licensing enforcement official, who had been shopping at a local retail park.

The court heard she felt duty-bound to report what she had witnessed as she drove past the taxi.

Astles had told her she was stressed, magistrates were told.

She could not be contacted for comment after the case.

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IDFIMH

Perhaps she should go and work for the PCO.

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IDFIMH

Duty Bound indeed huh...A little jobsworth more like..

the only victim is her ?

I know a driver isn't allowed to smoke in their car, but what would happen if they were sat in their car and the ciggy was held out of the window and when they actually smoked the cig they leant out of the window so in effect the cig is never inside the car, would that be allowed?

You would get fined, but if you have your door open and both feet on the road you are OK that came from one of the enforcement officers.
BTW only the enforcement officers can book you and there must be 2 of them and they must be in full uniform and have high viz jackets on.
That also came from one I know who has had enough and left

Everytime a Mags court fines someone over something that surcharge must be added.

It's to pay for various domestic violence good causes.

Crazy thing is for a crime of domestic violence a fine is rarely applied.

So for doing the crime you don't pay the fine, but if you do a lesser crime you do pay it.

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IDFIMH

NO

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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

Why not, the ciggy or the smoke are not in the car, would you be allowed to stand outside the car with your head poking through the window while you smoke.

Surely it's the same as a goalkeeper with a ball when he's in or out of his box.

Get a caution for carrying a knife.

If they are in a vehicle, it has to be a marked council vehicle as well.
They also have no power to stop your vehicle, BTW
Rules may be different south of the border.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Makes you proud to be British eh!

These incidents are the precursor to the civil unrest that is on it's way, no more subjugation of the British people by these dreadful human beings with personality disorders, it's gone too far!

If everybody would kindly renounce this harassment of individuals by the state, those intent on turning this country into some form of latter day gulag, then perhaps we may be able to correct their behaviour before it is to late! If it's not already.

The punishment is wholly disproportionate to any offence committed, the Clerical officers of this country, and there seems to be many, need to be taught some respect, I refuse to let these morons subjugate me or mines, they can take their nanny state,their political correctness, their diversity trained weirdos with their state induced schizophrenia and ram it where the sun doesn't shine.

Mandy, you were robbed, victimised and harassed because you are a working person, that is all.

£775! not one penny would they get from me, nobody does these jobs because they have a surfeit of intellect.

It just goes to show how far this country has deteriorated, why can't these people let us enjoy our country as a free people, a lot of us have worked hard for this country, many died fighting for these freedoms, remember smokers today, who or which group tomorrow.

If you value your freedom fight these people, they are no different to you or I, if anyone wants to detain or harass me in the street or while I'm going about my Lawful business then I'm afraid they will have a fight on their hands, enoughs enough!

Jeez, we can't even have a Police State in this Country, it will be a second rate version of one, a Warden State, start the resistance movement now.

No more subjugation of the United Kingdom or it's citizens, don't vote, don't give any of them the mandate to abuse.

I hope she appeal's, as this clerical official has no power and as I stated only the yellow peril can fine them.
This sheit master can grass folk up all they want but where is the evidence or even a photo and the sheit was on there own

Well said

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I would say the smoker is in the car even if the smoke isn't. And that I believe will be enough to convict.

Same with mobiles. If the mobile is outside of the car but the user inside I doubt a court would let the driver off.

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IDFIMH