A PRIVATE hire taxi driver from Accrington convicted after illegally picking up two undercover police officers has lost his fight to get his licence back.

Muhammad Mahfooz, of College Street, Accrington, was ordered to pay £1,000 after pleading guilty to plying for hire in an unlicensed vehicle, and for driving without insurance, in August.

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The then-34-year-old was caught after picking up the two officers, who were wearing plain clothes, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

In September, Hyndburn Council’s judicial committee voted to revoke Mahfooz’s licence after councillors considered his convictions and two complaints made about his behaviour.

Mahfooz appealed to magistrates, but councillors were told at a meeting the court ruled in their favour.

He then lodged an appeal at crown court, but later withdrew it, council documents show.