A Cefn Fforest man has been convicted for running an unlicensed taxi business.
Lee Greenaway, 46, of Penybryn Avenue, Cefn Fforest, appeared before Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was found guilty of acting as an unlicensed driver, using unlicensed vehicles and also failing to have adequate insurance in place.
The court handed him a 12 month driving ban, a three year conditional discharge, a requirement to pay £2,500 costs within 14 days, and also confiscated one of the vehicles involved.
Greenaway had been transporting a hen party of eight to Butlins in Minehead, when the people carrier they were travelling in broke down in Crosskeys. Greenaway left the party on the side of the road while he returned with a second people carrier to continue the journey.
The second vehicle was followed and stopped by Trading Standards and Gwent Police.
The hen party had each paid £25 for the journey but were not able to get to Butlins after the vehicle they had been travelling in was stopped from continuing due to unsafe brakes.
Councillor Rob Gough, cabinet member for public protection, engineering and transport, said: “We are extremely pleased that the court has taken a firm stance against this kind of activity. Unlicensed vehicles put the travelling public at risk as they are not safety checked and passengers are not insured.
“We would advise people to always take a licensed cab and to check that the driver is licensed also. Licensed drivers pass a CRB check and their vehicles undergo regular testing.”
Greenway had previously been found guilty of similar offences in 2004.