A Private Hire driver has been made to pay more than £3,000 for using a forged ID.

Amjad Mahmood, of Albion Street, Aylesbury, was fined for driving with a forged driver’s identity badge and for failing to keep adequate records.

He was caught by an Aylesbury Vale District Council licensing officer in November 2010 during a random check on taxis and private hire vehicles.

Mahmood, of UK Taxis, claimed to have lost his original badge and was unsure where the new one had come from.

The council also discovered the operator was failing to keep records in accordance with his licence conditions.

The case was heard on October 17 at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant pleaded guilty and was fined £2,500, ordered to pay £897 to the council and billed £15 towards a fund for crime victims.

Councillor Judy Brandis, chairman of the authority’s licensing committee, said: “People want to know that they are safe and secure when they use a local taxi or private hire vehicle

“Carrying an identity badge is a very important way for taxi drivers to show passengers that they are properly licensed and are fit to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle.

“Mr Mahmood chose to put the public at risk by faking his identity badge, which is simple and easy to renew.

“This case sends out the message – do not try this, you will get caught.

“It is important that private hire companies keep appropriate records such as the name of the customer, pick up address and destination.

“Should an incident occur involving a taxi or private hire driver, the police or council licensing officers would require these details to fully investigate any allegation made by or against the driver.

“The council requires taxi and private hire drivers to maintain exemplary standards and it is essential that the public has confidence in the quality of service provided.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that public expectations are fulfilled.”

source: http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/