A PRIVATE taxi driver has been convicted of illegally plying for hire and driving without the right insurance at the Henley Royal Regatta.

During the annual rowing event, Mohammed Tula Miah’s vehicle was caught parked on double yellow lines on Friday Street in Henley.

Thames Valley Police identified the vehicle as a private hire vehicle licensed by Transport for London.

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However, private hire vehicles are not permitted to pick customers up off the street without a booking through a licensed private hire operator.

Having witnessed the vehicle parked illegally in a prominent location, an officer approached and asked Miah if he could take them to Reading Railway Station. Miah replied saying he could do the journey immediately for £50.

Further investigation revealed that Miah was only insured to carry out pre-booked work through a licensed private hire operator.

Miah, 55, of Helen Avenue in Middlesex, was found guilty at Oxford Magistrates Court on Friday, December 16, in his absence of illegally picking up passengers outside of the district where his vehicle was licensed. He was also found guilty of driving without the required insurance.

He was fined £880 for the two offences and six points were added onto Miah’s DVLA licence for the offence of having no insurance.

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An additional fine of £900 was given South Oxfordshire District Council with an additional £352 victim surcharge.

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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @geeharland