Taxi driver fined for smoking in his vehicle

Adam Sharif Judge was spotted smoking in the driver’s seat of his hackney carriage

A taxi driver from Oldham who was caught smoking in his vehicle has been fined £100 and ordered to pay £150 costs by magistrates.

Adam Sharif Judge, aged 24, was spotted smoking in the driver’s seat of his hackney carriage in Waterfoot by licensing enforcement officers from Rossendale Council on February 14 this year.

Judge was issued with a £30 Fixed Penalty Notice for smoking in a work vehicle.

This increased to £50 when he failed to pay within 15 days.

He was then prosecuted when he still did not pay after a further 14 days.

Judge, of Suffolk Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty by letter at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court to failing to pay the notice.

Councillor Steve Hughes, Rossendale Council’s Licensing Committee Chairman, said: “We expect the highest standards of drivers licensed by Rossendale and we will continue to take action against those who do not meet those high standards.

“We also work closely with other agencies to support their enforcement activities if offences take place outside the borough.”

Councillor Christine Lamb, Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, added: “We are pleased with this fine which should serve as a warning to others that this type of behaviour is not acceptable.

"It also makes it clear that we will prosecute if people do not pay fixed penalty notices.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.