Successful prosecution reinforces Chorley’s commitment to passenger safety

A private hire driver, licensed by Preston City Council, has been successfully prosecuted following an investigation involving the council, after an unlicensed and uninsured vehicle was found transporting seven children with severe special educational needs and disabilities to a school in the borough.

The case followed a joint operation with Lancashire County Council, where licensing officers identified a silver Renault Master carrying seven children, including one wheelchair user, and a passenger assistant. The vehicle was being used for school transport but was not licensed as a private hire vehicle at the time it was stopped.

During the operation, the driver told officers the vehicle was being used temporarily while another vehicle was unavailable. Enquiries later confirmed the vehicle was not licensed at the time of the journey and that the insurance cover was invalidated because it was being operated as a private hire vehicle without the correct licence.

At Preston Magistrates’ Court, Warren Jeremy Harris, of Birkett Place, Preston, pleaded guilty to and was convicted of three offences: driving an unlicensed vehicle, operating an unlicensed vehicle, and driving without insurance.

Mr Harris received credit for his guilty plea and had six points endorsed on his DVLA licence. He was also ordered to pay fines and council costs totalling around £350.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, which includes licensing, Councillor Alex Hilton, said:

“This case shows why taxi and private hire licensing is so important.

“Licensing rules are there to protect passengers, and that protection is especially important when children and vulnerable people are being transported.

“The vast majority of licensed drivers and operators work hard to meet the standards required of them. Taking enforcement action where those standards are not met helps protect the public and supports those responsible businesses that operate legally and safely.

“We will continue to work with our partners to make sure vehicles carrying passengers in Chorley are properly licensed, insured and safe.”