Cabbie banned for having no licence

By Andy Hughes No licence ... Kirpa Singh
A CABBIE has been banned from the road for taking passengers despite not having a taxi licence or insurance.

South Tyneside magistrates heard how Kirpa Singh used his unlicensed Vauxhall Vectra to make 281 taxi journeys over seven weeks.

Singh, 20, worked as a hackney carriage driver until last year, but he gave up his licence to become a private hire driver for Express Taxis, based in Farnham Road, South Shields.

However, the court heard, Singh failed to apply for a private hire licence and, by the time he started his new job, his vehicle insurance with Norwich Union had also ran out.

Angus Taylor, prosecuting, said: "Someone notified South Tyneside Council that Mr Singh's cab did not have a taxi licence plate on it.

"Further inquiries were made, and it was revealed that not only did Mr Singh's car not have a taxi licence, but he did not have any vehicle insurance either.

"Between September 2, 2008, and October 19, 2008, all his journeys were made with no insurance or no taxi licence.

"Who knows what the consequences would have been if there had been an accident."

Singh, of Stanhope Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to both offences.

He was banned from driving for four months and fined £250, with £85 costs.

Magistrates heard that Singh was of good character and "knows what he did was wrong".

Kevin Smallcombe, defending, said: "He works very hard for long hours, and is the breadwinner in his house.

"He is a thoroughly decent person who has made a mistake and has apologised for this.

"No fare-paying member of the public was put at risk at any point.

"He is now registered and holds the plate for this."

Mr Marshall should be getting the same treatment, but looks like he has got away with it again.