A TAXI driver stopped in a spot check was driving a potentially lethal black cab with exhaust fumes leaking into the passenger compartment, it was revealed today.

The vehicle, the only hackney cab to be stopped in the swoop, also had faulty brakes and further checks revealed the driver, who now faces court action, was working without a hackney licence.

The dangerous cab was one of 19 vehicles ordered off the roads in two nights of checking carried out in a joint police and Blackburn Council operation.

Town hall legal experts are also considering taking a second driver to court because he was not wearing a driver's badge.

On the second night of checks, nine out of the 13 private hire vehicles stopped by in the checks were taken off the streets.

During the first clampdown, 21 private hire cabs from 13 different firms were checked at the council's testing station in Davyfield Road. Nine of the vehicles had their licenses suspended after they were discovered to be faulty. Overall more than 50 per cent of the private hire cars stopped and checked were ordered off the road.

Five of the suspended cars are now back in business after the operators fixed the faults.

Defects discovered by the enforcement officers included defective exhausts, faulty steering, tyres and lights.

The random checks were carried out on two evenings earlier this month in a bid to catch out drivers with dangerous vehicles who do not work during the day.

Investigation officers from the Benefits Agency also took part in the operation.

The clampdown will be discussed at licensing sub-committee next Thursday.

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