A TAXI driver who continued to work despite having their licence revoked has been fined £200.

Mohsen Arfa, of Margaret Road, South Ham, was prosecuted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on December 13, after he had his licence removed by the council’s licensing sub-committee.

The 45-year-old was issued with a revocation notice following a complaint to the borough council but continued driving without a licence.

He was then seen plying for hire at a taxi rank in the town by borough council licensing officers and refused to provide his licence badge to them. The licensing officers ensured that he did not carry any passengers.

Mr Arfa was found guilty of plying for hire without a hackney carriage driver's licence and refusing to return his revoked driver’s badge.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £600 costs.

After the hearing, cabinet member for regulatory services and the environment at the borough council, Cllr Hayley Eachus, said: “We are proud of the high standards of licensed drivers and vehicles working across the borough. This driver had his licence revoked because he fell short of those standards and then tried to carry on working.

“Licensing officers took swift action to ensure public safety was protected. This is the busiest time of year for the hackney carriage and private hire trade and it is important that people feel safe and secure when hiring a taxi.”