A taxi driver in Ipswich has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after being found guilty for driving a hackney carriage vehicle without a valid hackney carriage driver’s licence.
The former taxi driver, Mr Ticu Dan Calin of Ipswich, was found guilty in his absence to the offence at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday 16 June 2025.
Mr Calin’s combined hackney carriage and private hire driving licences were revoked earlier this year on 7 March 2025 on the grounds of public safety. On 27 March it was reported to the Council that Mr Calin was continuing to drive a licensed hackney carriage vehicle without an appropriate licence.
Mr Calin was found guilty in his absence and was fined the maximum penalty available of £1,000. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and prosecution costs of £760.41, with the total of £2,160.41 ordered to be paid within 28 days.
Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said: "Ipswich Borough Council expects everyone in the licensed trades to be honest, to abide by the rules of their licence, and to comply with the law.
“I'm pleased that the court backed us by fining the driver concerned and making an order for the costs incurred by the Council. More importantly, it is right that we act robustly to maintain the safety of hackney carriage customers."