THE owner of a Pendle taxi firm has been told he must pay £445 after he was caught smoking in his office.

One of Pendle Council’s environmental health officers saw Ali Akbar smoking in his Railway Road office, in Brierfield.

The businessman, of Railway Street, pleaded guilty to the charge at Reedley Magistrates last Thursday (June 11).

As a result he was fined £180 and ordered to pay £250 costs as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

Representing himself, Akbar told the court he did not know he was not allowed to smoke in the kitchen and toilet, adjoining the office.

He said that on December 12 last year he had been smoking in these adjoining rooms and then went into the office to find a file.

It was at the point that the officer spotted the taxi firm owner flouting the smoking ban.

Coun David Clegg, who represents environmental health, said Akbar behaved “irresponsibly.”

He added: “I strongly criticise anyone who ignores public health and the national smoking ban like this.

“The council is determined to protect people from the harmful effects of second hand smoke.

“This should not be happening in work places anymore, and our environmental health officers work hard to stop it.”

Akbar told the court that the adjoining rooms now have signs making it clear that smoking is prohibited.

He was ordered to pay the total of £445 within 28 days.

To report a workplace that allows smoking indoors contact the council’s environmental health team on 01282 662020 or john.heys@pendle.gov.uk.