A driver who let his car be used as a taxi during the Henley Regatta despite it being unlicensed has been fined more than £2000.

Raja Ilyas Hussain, 43, of Doolittle Avenue, High Wycombe, was found guilty of permitting his vehicle to be used as a hackney carriage without a licence and the appropriate insurance at Oxford Magistrates’ Court at a hearing on January 15.

The court heard that on August 15, 2021, a vehicle belonging to Mr Hussain was observed to be displaying a “taxi” roof sign on Thameside in Henley-on-Thames during the rowing festival.

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However, the vehicle was not displaying the required licence plate on the rear, which would identify it as a licensed vehicle.

Licensing enforcement officers, who were working during the annual event, approached the vehicle to see whether the vehicle was licensed to be working in the town.

The vehicle drove off immediately after the officers identified themselves.

The court also heard that Mr Hussain had previously held a driver’s licence with South Oxfordshire District Council, so would have been fully aware of the requirements for drivers and vehicles to be licensed, insured and safety checked to carry members of the public.

After being found guilty, Mr Hussain was fined £440 for the unlawful plying for hire and £660 for not having the required insurance. 

Mr Hussain was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £440 and £800 towards prosecution costs.

He was also given eight penalty points on his driving licence.

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The case was originally heard at the Magistrates’ Court in March 2022, but Mr Hussain applied for the case to be reopened, with the matter then heard in January 2024.

South Oxfordshire District Council leader David Rouane, who is also responsible for licensing and community safety, said: “As they are responsible for the safety of every person they convey in their vehicles, taxi drivers are legally required to have the correct licences before they start work.

“Safety is our number one priority and so we will take action against anyone working without a licence.”

This comes as Umar Ali, 36 of Manchester Road, Reading, was ordered to pay almost £1,000 and had six points added to his DVLA licence after not having the right licence and insurance and not wearing his private hire driver’s badge during the event this year on July 1.

Appearing at a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on January 12, the court was told that Mr Ali was a licensed private hire driver with Reading Borough Council, but he was not licensed by South Oxfordshire District Council and not permitted to ply for hire within the district.

Mr Ali’s car insurance policy excluded public hire and when stopped by South Oxfordshire licensing officers he was not wearing his private hire badge, despite maintaining that he had just dropped off a fare and agreeing to take the undercover officer to Reading. 

After pleading guilty, he was ordered to pay a total fine of £420, £168 victim surcharge and £400 costs and had six points added to his driving licence.