Published on 21st October 2016

Row of Hackney taxis along the Promenade taxi rank

On Monday 17 October 2016 Cheltenham Borough Council successfully prosecuted a further four drivers for illegally plying for hire in Cheltenham during the 2016 Gold Cup Festival.

Duncan Holder of Solway Road in Cheltenham did not attend court but pleaded guilty by post for an offence of illegally ply for hire. Mr Holder was ordered to pay a total of £1,550 in fines and costs.

Manunur Rashid, who is a licensed Hackney Carriage driver with Malvern District Council, attended court and was represented. He pleaded guilty to illegally plying for hire and was ordered to pay £753 in fines and costs.

Ephraim Chimuka of Reservoir Road in Gloucester also pleaded guilty to an offence of illegally plying for hire and he was ordered to pay £848.00 in costs and fines.

Finally, Aziz Ur Rehman of Pilgrove Way, Cheltenham pleaded guilty by post to the same offence of illegally plying for hire and he was ordered to pay a total of £820 in fines and costs.

The four most recent convictions follow a successful prosecution of Steven Rising for the same offence.

A further four drivers pleaded not guilty and trial dates have been set for early 2017.

Councillor Andy McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety says: “We are pleased that the work by officers to stamp out illegal taxi activity during the March races is bearing fruit and we are now seeing successful prosecutions.

“Such illegal activity can significantly compromise public safety and protection and the council will do whatever it can within its means to continue to focus resource and effort to bring those guilty to justice.”

Sarah Hughes, licensing enforcement officer for Cheltenham Borough Council, continues: “These prosecutions highlight the success of partnership working with our colleagues from other local authorities. It also gives a warning to drivers who wish to capitalise on the additional footfall to Cheltenham during Gold Cup week that we will take action should they operate unlawfully.”

For media enquiries contact: Laura Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

Notes: It is illegal for any person to publically ply for hire unless they are licensed as Hackney Carriage drivers by Cheltenham Borough Council driving a licensed Hackney Carriage also licensed by Cheltenham Borough Council.

The press release relating to Steven Rising can be found on the council’s website www.cheltenham.gov.uk