Private hire driver fined almost £4,000

Monday, 30 October 2017 16:00

A private hire driver found illegally picking up passengers in Manchester has been fined almost £4,000 and handed six penalty points for driving without valid insurance.

Arif Hussain Bhatti, 43, of Heather Street, Clayton, was observed by officers in a private hire vehicle parked on Dantzic Street, outside the Printworks building in the city centre.

Bhatti was seen talking to members of the public, who then got into the vehicle before it drove away – leading officers to suspect the journey had not been pre-booked.

After a short distance the vehicle was pulled over and further enquiries proved that the passengers had not made a booking with the private hire operator.

Bhatti will now be invited to a hearing with Manchester City Council where his ability to hold a Private Hire Driving Licence will be reviewed.

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