2 weeks Ago
A man from Bolton who was posing as a taxi driver in Bury has been sentenced. Faisal Hussain made his own private hire driver’s licence to show he was still licensed by the local authority after his real licence had expired. This was uncovered by Bury licensing officers when he took a licensed car to a testing centre and there were issues with the vehicle.
Mr Hussain was then identified as the driver of the licensed vehicle. Hussain, 31, of Gilnow Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 when he appeared before Stockport Magistrates Court on 11 September. On November 29, Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court sentenced him to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
He must undertake 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and perform 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £300 towards prosecution costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, skills and the economy at Bury Council, said: “It is essential that the public have complete confidence in the taxi trade.
"All drivers go through rigorous checking procedures before they are granted a licence, to ensure that they are fit and proper to hold a licence and that the vehicle they are travelling is maintained to a high standard. “Thankfully Hussain was driving for only one month before his deception was uncovered. “This shows how important it is that taxi drivers are licensed locally, where the local authority has the ability to carry out rigorous checks and ongoing enforcement.
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