Unlicensed Taxi Driver Convicted

On the 21st September 2016 at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court Anthony John Higgins of Edward Street, Pant, Merthyr Tydfil was found guilty in his absence of two offences of carrying out work as a Hackney Carriage Driver without the appropriate licence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The convictions were brought by the Licensing section at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. The court heard that on two separate occasions the defendant was found to be carrying out hackney carriage duties without a licence from the local Authority. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Higgins was fined a total of £1320 and ordered to pay Council costs of £265 plus a victim surcharge of £66. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Paul Lewis, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager states “All licensed drivers must possess and display a valid driver’s badge which displays their name and their photograph. Drivers in possession of a valid licence have undergone vetting by the Authority to ensure they are fit and proper persons to carry out taxi work.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Chris Barry, Portfolio Member for Licensing advises “Consumers can protect themselves by ensuring they only use properly licensed vehicles and drivers. Licensed vehicles will have door signs issued by the Local Authority which displays the vehicle licence number along with licence plates which will be displayed in the windscreen and on the rear of the vehicle. Drivers must have driver badges displayed showing they are licensed. By using unlicensed vehicles or drivers they could be putting themselves at risk.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you have information on individuals involved in the provision of unlicensed taxi services please contact the Licensing section in confidence on 01685 725000 or by emailing licensing@merthyr.gov.uk. All information is treated in the strictest confidence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​