Cabbie caught in crackdown on illegal fares

Source: Sunderland Echo   By Jane O’Neill

An illegal fare ended up costing cabbie Colin Burnett hundreds of pounds.
The driver was hauled before the courts after being caught in a sting operation targeting taxi drivers who pick up work illegally.

Private hire drivers must only take booked fares and cannot be flagged down.

But Burnett said he was on “autopilot” when he picked up two undercover police officers in Sunderland city centre.

The 50-year-old let the pair get into his Fiat Doblo, despite the fact they had not made a booking with his firm.

He agreed to take them to Grangetown, where they were met by uniformed police and licensing officers from Sunderland City Council.

Burnett appeared before Sunderland magistrates and admitted illegally plying for hire, known as “flimping”, and using a vehicle without insurance.

Burnett, who represented himself at court, said he had intended to go home after dropping off a fare in Green Terrace, as it was the anniversary of his father’s death the next day.

He explained he had licences for both a private hire vehicle and a hackney carriage, which he had been driving earlier that day.

“I was on auto-pilot and just wanted the evening over with. It was a lapse of judgment.

“I’m a hard-working homeowner and I do not wish to find myself in a position where I’m struggling to find work.

“If it had not been that particular day, I’m sure the error of judgment would not have been made.”

The court heard that Burnett, of Coldstream Avenue, Southwick, had been a taxi driver for 10 years, had no previous convictions and a clean licence.

Chairman of the bench Alexander Hendry said magistrates believed it was an honest mistake and handed down a six-month conditional discharge.

Burnett was ordered to pay £450 court costs and his licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

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