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.

New Neighbourhood Improvement Programme Proposed for All 33 Leeds Wards
Bradford Woman Found Guilty of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
Man Arrested Over Indecent Exposure Incident Near Milton Keynes School
Southwark Proposes New Housing Rules Amid Pressure on Social Housing
Ealing Council Apologises After Disabled Young Man Left Without Therapies for 14 Months
More Than 100 Flights Delayed at Manchester Airport After Air Traffic Control Issue
Calderdale Man Jailed for Historic Child Sex Offences
Barrister Jailed Over Revenge Attack Plot Linked to Kirklees Drugs Gang Feud
Advertising A-Boards to Be Banned on Uxbridge Road in 12-Month Trial
Record Number of Manchester Schools Achieve Green Flag Status
Bradford Man Jailed After Admitting 36 Child Sex Offences
Man Arrested Following Bradford Jewellers Ram Raid
The Golden Era
Legal Show
Bhangra Nights
Remix Saturdays