
A routine red-light offence has led to the conviction of a 35-year-old man who was found driving a licensed private hire vehicle without the necessary driver’s licence or insurance.
Ionel-Adrian Sandu, from Ipswich, was driving a vehicle licensed by Ipswich Borough Council along the A6005 Nottingham Road in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, on Sunday 12 April when he went through a red light.
Following the offence, police issued a Notice of Intended Prosecution to the vehicle’s registered keeper, who identified Sandu as the driver.
Further checks with Ipswich Borough Council revealed that Sandu did not hold the required licence to drive the private hire vehicle.
He was subsequently charged with three offences:
• Driving a private hire vehicle without the appropriate licence
• Driving without insurance
• Failing to comply with a red traffic light
Sandu was found guilty of all three offences at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 17 September, following a trial in his absence.
He received a £660 fine, £200 in court costs and a £264 victim surcharge, bringing the total financial penalty to £1,124. He was also given six penalty points on his driving licence.
PC Jon Dye, of the Nottinghamshire Safety Camera Partnership, warned that driving a taxi or private hire vehicle without the appropriate licence is a criminal offence and that licensing requirements exist to protect passengers.
Police confirmed that it remains unclear whether Sandu was carrying a passenger at the time.
The licensed operator responsible for the vehicle could now face further action from the licensing authority.

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