Taxi driver caught out after charging £25 close to iconic premier league floor after match
Enforcement officers from the local council were alerted to a cabbie illegally picking up fares outside Old Trafford when they heard a woman yell: “£25? Are you joking?”
An out-of-town taxi driver has been shown the red card after illegally trying to pick up fares outside Old Trafford as fans left the stadium. Ali Imran Shan Shreen, 55, was plying for trade on Sir Alex Ferguson Way after Manchester United’s match against Brentford.
And enforcement officers from the local council were alerted to his activity when they heard a woman yell: “£25? Are you joking?” The officers asked Shreen numerous times to show show his private hire driver’s badge.
Trafford Council said he refused to show his badge and only eventually complied when it was explained that not doing so would be committing a further offence.
Shreen, who was touting for trade in his black Toyota Auris, was registered in Wolverhampton, more than 75 miles from Trafford. Only Trafford Council-registered Hackney Carriages are allowed to pick up without a pre-booked job in the borough.
Private hire licence holders must take advance bookings only. After the officer had established that Mr Shreen was illegally plying for hire, he said: “It was only one time!”
At Manchester Magistrates Court, Shreen was found guilty of illegally plying for hire, failing to wear driver’s identification badge and obstructing an authorised officer. He was fined a total of £1,453 with a victim surcharge of £581 and costs of £1,500, a total of £3,543.
A Trafford Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring the public are protected, and that the trading environment is fair, protecting consumers and drivers that are licensed to operate in the borough.”
It comes after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham backed calls for a proposed law to ban out-of-town taxi licensing. He said in September the “broken” taxi system meant more than half of private hire vehicles operating in the region were licenced elsewhere.
Meanwhile, an fly-pitcher was find after twice being caught flogging knock-off goods at Old Trafford tram station on matchdays. Andrew Lowe, 53, was found selling scarves to supporters heading to United’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad back in March.
He had been previously warned by Trafford Council’s Enforcement Team that he could not trade without a licence. Manchester Magistrates heard that Lowe tried to bundle the scarves for sale back into his holdall before making his way from the area.
But he was back again in May for the Red Devils’ 2-0 loss to West Ham, where he was seen selling scarves for £15. Lowe was found guilty of two offences of illegally street trading. He was fined £200 with a victim surcharge of £40 and costs of £100, totalling £340.
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