Driving Ban For Illegal Taxi Driver

A 23 year old has pleaded guilty to six charges relating to illegal taxi driving, following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards and Gwent Police. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Glen Avery, 23, of Morgan Street, Tredegar, was discovered to be operating an illegal taxi as a result of a joint operation between Trading Standards and Gwent Police, following complaints into the proliferation of illegal taxis from the legitimate taxi trade. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers were alerted after taxi operators in the Bargoed area noticed a decline in trade towards the end of 2015, believing that this was down to illegal taxis – mainly younger drivers offering ‘lifts’ on social media – operating in the area, in particular from Bargoed high street. Over a number of weeks, officers carried out a series of joint operations where any individuals suspected of acting illegally as taxi drivers were targeted. CCTV footage from over the Christmas and New Year period clearly showed Avery taking money from passengers before driving them away. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Glen Avery appeared at Newport Magistrates Court on Friday 22nd July, where he pleaded guilty to six charges relating to illegal taxi driving. The charges were contrary to the Road Traffic Act 1988 for using a Nissan Primera without appropriate insurance, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for failing to tell passengers they were not insured, and the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 for plying for hire without a licence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The court ordered Avery to pay a fine of £480, together with prosecution costs to Caerphilly County Borough Council of £200 and a £20 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for six months. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Nigel George, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Protection said, “Operating as an illegal taxi is a serious offence, and one that potentially could put members of the public in very real danger. Legitimate taxis undergo stringent safety checks and licensed drivers are also subject to numerous checks to ensure they are fit and proper persons to carry passengers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“While public safety is of course a key concern, so is the threat to the livelihoods of the legitimate taxi trade from this illegal activity. I would urge anyone thinking of ‘doing lifts’ for payment to think again – they will not have the appropriate insurance and if caught, could be banned from driving just as Mr Avery has been”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer, PC Adam Lang said: “This was becoming a real issue in the area. I hope this penalty sends a clear message to those thinking of acting in this way that Gwent Police along with local authorities will endeavour to identify and prosecute any such behaviour. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’d like to remind members of the public using illegal taxis to take a moment to consider what they are doing. The taxi trade go through rigorous checks, their vehicle also has to pass additional tests to a standard MOT before they are road legal. I understand that when people have had a good night and are under the influence of alcohol they maybe more likely to take the risk but please don’t – the consequences could be devastating.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​