Taxi driver prosecuted after council investigation
A taxi driver has been ordered to pay more than £700 in court after failing to provide his records.
Amine Achboun, of Amesbury, was a licensed driver with Test Valley Borough Council working for an operator in Romsey.
When asked to produce his records and details of bookings taken, Mr Achbourn failed to do so, which breached the conditions of his licence and constituted an offence under section 73 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
Drivers of private hire vehicles are required to keep records should any investigation be needed, and they also have to prove all journeys have been pre-booked to ensure the safety of passengers. As Mr Achboun failed to produce the necessary records, his license was then revoked and he had to attend court last month.
Mr Achboun admitted the charges at Basingstoke Magistrates Court and was fined £80, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £615 in costs.
Corporate portfolio holder, councillor Maureen Flood, said: “Our first priority for our residents is to keep them safe, which is why we regularly undertake checks on anyone licensed to carry passengers in the borough. We take all cases such as this very seriously and I hope this acts as a deterrent.”