OPERATING ILLEGALLY: Unlicensed private hire driver fined over £2,000 in undercover sting
A Norfolk man has been fined over £2,000 after an undercover operation revealed he was illegally operating a private hire service without a licence.
Kevin Turner was found guilty in his absence at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court after an investigation by West Norfolk Council. Turner, who was operating without the required licences or insurance, had previously admitted his offences during an interview under caution.
Council officers had been alerted to Turner’s activities and arranged two test journeys, during which he drove them between West Acre, Great Massingham, and King’s Lynn. Following the investigation, Turner was charged with twice driving as an unlicensed private hire driver, acting as a private hire operator, using an unlicensed vehicle, and failing to have appropriate taxi insurance.
The court imposed fines of £1,100 for the offences, with an additional £990 in costs and surcharges. Turner was also given eight penalty points on his driving licence.
Councillor Jim Moriarty, cabinet member for licensing, emphasised the importance of licensing regulations, which are designed to ensure drivers and their vehicles meet safety standards. He noted that unlicensed drivers evade these checks, putting the public at risk.
Moriarty said: “Licensing of drivers exists to keep the public safe.
"Drivers are subject to medical and background checks and their vehicles are tested to council standards which are stricter than a standard MOT.
“Unlicensed drivers bypass all this and present a danger to the public. No one has checked that they have the correct insurance or that they are a fit and proper person. It’s also unfair to those drivers who have gone through the licensing process."
