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Drivers convicted for illegal taxi operations at Henley Regatta

Two private hire drivers illegally plying for trade have been fined following undercover checks at Henley Regatta.

On Friday 15 December at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Mumtaz Ahmed Ismail, 55, of Thirlmere Avenue, Reading, was ordered to pay more than £4,500 after being convicted of two counts of illegally plying for hire and two counts of driving without insurance.  He also had 14 points added to his DVLA driving licence, meaning he is now banned from driving for six months.

Mr Ismail was caught during a ‘test purchase’ operation in Henley when plain-clothed licensing officers from South Oxfordshire District Council and neighbouring authorities checked to ensure that out of area drivers were not picking up passengers illegally at the Regatta and taking them on un-booked, uninsured and often untraceable journeys. 

Mr Ismail was stopped on 29 June 2023 when he wrongly agreed to take an undercover officer to Reading for a flat rate without having a booking in place.  Mr Ismail was then caught again under the same circumstances just two days later.

Mr Ismail failed to attend court on 17 November 2023 and was convicted in his absence of all four offences.  Sentencing was then adjourned until 15 December to allow him to attend and provide any mitigating circumstances before sentencing.

In a separate case on Friday 17 November 2023 at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Harish Surendralal, 63, of Kennet Side, Reading, was also convicted of illegally plying for hire at Henley Regatta and of driving without insurance.  

Mr Surendralal was caught during ‘test purchase’ operations at the Regatta on 30 June 2023.  He had wrongly agreed to drive an undercover licensing officer to Reading for a flat rate.  There was no booking in place and making this agreement immediately invalidated Mr Surendralal’s insurance. 

As a result of his actions, Mr Surendralal was ordered to pay £1,186 and had six points added to his DVLA driving licence. 

Cllr David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Henley has repeatedly been targeted by drivers from outside the district attempting to operate illegally at the Regatta.  These individuals put people’s safety at risk and take work away from those who play by the rules.  Our officers have been very successful in stopping those involved and we won’t hesitate to prosecute anyone who is caught in the act.”

If you are travelling by taxi, to stay safe please follow these tips:

  • Book your trip in advance with a licensed company.
  • Ask the driver to show you their ID and check the vehicle has a plate on the back.
  • Never give out personal information en route – you can ask to be dropped off down the road if you don’t want to give your address.

Notes for editors:

Mr Ismail and Mr Surendralal were the first private hire drivers to be prosecuted following the 2023 Henley Regatta with cases against six more individuals pending. 

Following the 2022 event, five people were convicted for illegally plying for hire and associated offences, such as having no insurance.

Summary – Mr Ismail

Mr Mumtaz Ahmed Ismail was convicted of:

  • 2 counts of Illegally plying for hire (contrary to section 45 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847). Offence dates 29 June 2023 and 1 July 2023.
  • 2 counts of driving without insurance (contrary to section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988). Offence dates 29 June 2023 and 1 July 2023.

Conviction date 17 November 2023 and sentencing date 15 December 2023

Fined:

  • 29 June 2023 – £330 for illegally plying for hire. £330 for no insurance + 6 DVLA points
  • 1 July 2023 – £660 for illegally plying for hire. £660 for no insurance + 8 DVLA points.

Mr Ismail was disqualified from driving for 6 months; the council were awarded costs of £1797.35 and there was a victim surcharge of £792.

Total amount of fines and costs – £4569.35

Summary – Mr Surendralal

Mr Harish Surendralal was convicted of:

  • 1 count of illegally plying for hire (contrary to section 45 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847). Offence date 30 June 2023.
  • 1 count of driving without insurance (contrary to section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988) – same offence date.

Conviction date 17 November 2023

Fined: £333 for illegally plying for hire; £300 for driving without insurance + 6 DVLA points and costs to the council of £300 + £253 victim surcharge. £1,186 in total.