CABBIES FINED AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN UNDERCOVER STING OUTSIDE OLD TRAFFORD

Two Manchester-licensed hackney carriage drivers have been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds after they were caught illegally picking up undercover council officers near major sporting venues.

Aamar Shahzad Ahmed, 47, and Khalid Mahmood, 60, both pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates' Court to plying for hire without a licence and driving without insurance.

The first incident occurred on July 25 last year during an England vs. India cricket match at Emirates Old Trafford.

Licensing officers spotted Ahmed’s vehicle with its taxi sign lit and, after he agreed to take them to the city centre, he was intercepted. Ahmed later claimed picking up the passengers was "an impulse thing."

Just weeks later, on August 9, Mahmood was caught in a similar sting near the Old Trafford football stadium before a Manchester United match. After being caught, Mahmood admitted he had made a mistake and asked for a warning only.

Ahmed was fined £346 and Mahmood was fined £400, with both men receiving eight points on their driving licences.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council explained that only taxis licensed within the borough can pick up fares without a prior booking, stating: "This type of behaviour puts public safety at risk and is illegal."

The council added that the case serves as "another example of a wider problem on matchdays with drivers from other areas illegally looking for fares."

Read another story

LAWYERS DEMAND NEW RULES TO FORCE DRIVERLESS CAR COMPANIES TO SHARE CRASH DATA

As the Department for Transport finishes a three-month review of AVs, legal experts warn that crash evidence must be "retained and protected from being wiped" to ensure victims can prove what happened.

INVERCLYDE COUNCIL REJECTS PLANS TO EASE CRIMINAL CHECKS FOR FOREIGN BORN CABBIES

A staggering 96 per cent of people who took part in a consultation voted against the change, forcing the council’s general purposes board to stick with its current strict rules.

CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL URGED TO CRACK DOWN AS OUT OF TOWN DRIVERS EXPLODE IN LOCAL STREETS

A "Notice of Motion" warns that a legal loophole allows drivers licensed as far away as Wolverhampton, Stoke, and Sefton to work in the borough, often avoiding the strict rules faced by local cabbies.

LOCAL LOOPHOLE CLOSED: QUICK HOP TAXIS LAUNCHES WITH FOCUS ON PORTSMOUTH DRIVERS

The new operator is making a bold pledge to only use drivers licensed by Portsmouth City Council, specifically avoiding using drivers licensed in Wolverhampton.

COUNCIL CRACKDOWN: STOKE ON TRENT PH DRIVERS RISK SUSPENSION OVER LACK OF DOOR SIGNS

Under the strict enforcement, any driver caught without the required signage will face an immediate suspension with the incident recorded on their driver record.

HYNDBURN POLICE INTERCEPT PHV FOLLOWING WEAPON REPORTS AND OFFICER ASSAULT

Officers responded to the call around 5pm regarding a group of "suspicious males" who fled the scene in a cab, which was intercepted by response teams shortly after on New Lane.

BASILDON BC ANNOUNCE FUEL SUPPORT GRANT FOR TAXI DRIVERS OTHER COUNCILS TAKE NOTE

Basildon Borough Council announced: "Taxi drivers are a vital part of Basildon. They keep our communities moving, support residents at all hours, and play a key role in our local economy.

PATONS INSURANCE LAUNCHES NEW TAXI INSURANCE PRODUCT WITH ADMIRAL AT THE HELM

Patons Insurance has embarked on a new course with Admiral Business to support the launch of a new taxi insurance product to the UK market.

WALSALL LITTERBUGS HIT WITH HEAVY FINES AFTER BEING CAUGHT ON CAMERA

A taxi driver and two other men have been ordered to pay a combined total of over £1,700 after being caught dropping rubbish in Walsall.

FIFE COUNCIL REJECTS TAXI LICENCE BID OVER DRIVERS CRIMINAL HISTORY

The Fife Council regulations and licensing committee reached a unanimous decision to reject Thomas Duncan’s application following a formal intervention by Police Scotland.

SPEEDING LEICESTERSHIRE PH DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AFTER DRIVING VULNERABLE CHILD AT 82MPH

The incident, which occurred on Whitwick Road near Markfield, was filmed by the young passenger and sparked a joint investigation by local authorities.

JERSEY TARGETS ILLEGAL LIFTS WITH THREAT OF HEAVY FINES AND JAIL

Under new measures backed by the States Assembly, islanders caught running unauthorised cab services risk being hit with fines of up to £1,000, a year in prison, and the loss of their driving licences.

MID SUSSEX COUNCIL ISSUES EMERGENCY FUEL SURCHARGE

A charge of 50p may be applied for every £5 of the indicated metered fare, or part thereof, during periods when fuel prices are between £1.90 and £2.24 per litre.

TRIBUTES POUR IN AS CANNOCK TAXI FIRM MOURNS LOSS OF TWO COLLEAGUES

Corkys Cars, based in Cannock, shared the news over the Easter weekend, identifying the two men as Jumbo and Darren Russell, who was affectionately known to friends and colleagues as "Jack."

LEEDS RAPIST JAILED FOR OVER 15 YEARS AFTER TARGETING VULNERABLE WOMEN AT NIGHT

Rashid Boachie, 44, was caught after CCTV footage showed him approaching a woman during a night out in August last year.

CAMBRIDGE CABBIES LIVE IN FEAR AS THIEVES TARGET CABS

Drivers believe they are being singled out by thieves who mistakenly think there is cash left in the vehicles overnight or while they are away from their cars.

CABBIES HIT OUT AT EXTORTIONATE NEW £10 STANSTED DROP-OFF FEE

Taxi drivers are accusing London Stansted Airport of "pure greed" following a sharp 40% increase in drop-off charges.

GLASGOW PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER JAILED FOR SEVEN YEARS FOLLOWING DESPICABLE BETRAYAL RAPE

Thomas Tosh, 39, attacked the woman in September 2023 after collecting her and her friends from a pub in Clydebank.

ADCU: PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS NEED PRIORITY FUEL ACCESS IF SHORTAGES HIT

Petrol stations across the UK are already reporting supply issues, following mounting geopolitical tensions and shipping delays in the Red Sea and Gulf region.

UBER ANNOUNCES PETROL SAVINGS TO HELP DRIVERS IN USA WHAT ABOUT THEIR UK DRIVERS