Private hire driver fined after 'mystery shopper' exercise
Lancaster private hire driver ordered to pay more than £300 in a fine and court costs.
A Lancaster private hire driver has been ordered to pay more than £300 in a fine and court costs after a ‘mystery shopper’ operation caught him illegally picking up a passenger from the street.
Geoffrey Pullen, 54, of Tarbet Street in Lancaster, pleaded guilty by post to the offence, which took place on May 18.
District Judge Brailsford, sitting at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court, heard that the offence took place while licensing officers from Lancaster City Council were conducting a ‘mystery shopper’ exercise to ensure that private hire drivers – who can only pick up passengers after being pre-booked – were operating legally.
Pullen was approached by the council’s licensing manager, Wendy Peck, while he was parked on Queen Street in Lancaster.
Ms Peck asked if the defendant could take her to the magistrates court. The defendant replied that he could take her 'most of the way, but part of the road is blocked off, get in'.
Ms Peck then got into the vehicle and the defendant started his engine.
Upon witnessing this Debbie Rose, licensing enforcement officer, approached Pullen and asked him if it was a pre-booked journey to which he replied 'yes'. Mrs Rose then asked Ms Peck if she had pre-booked the vehicle to which Ms Peck responded that she hadn’t.
The defendant was requested to produce his insurance details which showed that, under the terms of his insurance, he was not insured for standing or plying for hire.
Pullen pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay a fine of £100
Court costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £15.
His driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.
Coun Tony Wade, chairman of the Licensing Regulatory Committee, said: “The safety and protection of the public is paramount to Lancaster City Council and we want people to get to their destination safely.
“Not only is a criminal offence for a private hire driver to pick up passengers that have not pre-booked, it’s also dangerous for the public because the driver won’t be insured in the event of an accident.
“We always advise that passengers plan their journey in advance by booking a private hire vehicle through a licensed firm or use a Hackney cab, which does not need to be pre-booked."
Date Published: 12/07/10