A PRIVATE hire driver who picked up two undercover investigators found it to be an expensive fare'.
As well as facing disqualification from his job for a period of time Amjad Hussain was also fined £450 and ordered to pay £300 costs by Blackburn magistrates.
Hussain, of Worston Place, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to plying for hire without a Hackney Carriage licence and driving without insurance.
Alan Fairhurst, prosecuting for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said licensing officers and police had been involved in a joint operation.
At 11.30pm a police officer and a trading standards officer hailed a private hire vehicle driven by Hussain who agreed to take them to Preston. The taxi was stopped by police shortly after.
Mr Fairhurst said Hussain initially tried to say the officers told him they had booked a taxi but when he was told who they were admitted plying for hire.
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