Driver posing as fake taxi driver fined over £3,400 and banned for six months

A Sheffield man has been fined over £3,400 and banned from driving for six months after being caught operating as a taxi driver without the proper licence.

Mohammed Sajjad Khan was found offering taxi services in March last year, despite not holding a valid hackney carriage licence. Licensing officers discovered that, while he did have a private hire driver’s licence with Sheffield City Council, it had been suspended at the time of the offence. His vehicle was also uninsured.

Khan failed to attend his court sentencing on 20 February and was sentenced in his absence. He was found guilty of plying for hire without a licence and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

The court ordered Khan to pay £3,416, including a £2,000 fine, £440 in costs, and a £976 victim surcharge. His driving licence was also endorsed with eight penalty points, resulting in a six-month disqualification from driving.

Cllr Wendy Cain, Barnsley Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “This is another great result for our Regulatory and Legal Services teams, who do fantastic work in taking action against those who offer services illegally or without the proper licenses.

“The safety of people who live in and visit our borough is a priority for us, and we’re committed to making sure that those who visit our town centre can enjoy a safe, enjoyable experience. Part of this means making sure that people have a safe journey to and from our town centre. Without the required licenses, there is no assurance that a vehicle or driver is safe or suitable, which is why it’s important for us to take action against those who offer taxi services illegally.”

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