A County Durham taxi boss has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after allowing a wheelchair user to be regularly transported by an unlicensed driver, without insurance.

Andrew Michael Bird, 53, of West Park, Shildon, has been told to pay £2,183 by a court and given eight driving licence penalty points following the prosecution by Durham County Council.

Peterlee magistrates heard Bird had pleaded guilty to three charges. The court was told how council officers were carrying out an operation on July 18 last year when they saw a minibus arrive at the Pathways Centre in Pity Me, Durham.

The officers watched the passenger, a wheelchair user, exiting the vehicle and being taken into the centre by the driver and a passenger assistant. The minibus had Birds Taxis branding on it and was plated as a private hire vehicle.

Checks were carried out on the vehicle, including one of the straps holding the wheelchair in place, and the driver and passenger assistant were asked for their private hire driver's licence badge and authorisation badge respectively.

Magistrates were told neither the driver or passenger assistant had badges with them, with the passenger assistant having forgotten hers. The driver said he did not have a licence from Durham County Council.

The court was told that Bird has held a private hire operator licence since around 2001 and holds a number of contracts with Durham County Council to transport children through home to school contracts, and vulnerable adults to either school or work placements.

As a private hire operator, Bird is required to keep detailed booking records. However magistrates heard the booking records he produced had little of the information required.

The court heard Bird had allowed the wheelchair user to be driven by the unlicensed driver on an almost daily basis for over six months. That driver had not undertaken the knowledge and locality tests set by Durham County Council and there had been no DBS check or medical.

Magistrates heard there was no insurance in place as the defendant was allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a licensed vehicle.

Bird was fined £1,320, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £528 and costs of £335, and given the driving licence points.

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Ian Harrison, the council’s business compliance manager, said: “Mr Bird allowed a highly vulnerable person to be transported on an almost daily basis for over six months, by a driver who was not licensed or insured, and had not undergone the relevant tests and checks.

"He had no way of knowing if the driver was a fit and proper person to carry out this kind of work, potentially putting the passenger at risk.

“We know that most taxi companies in County Durham comply with licensing law but we hope this prosecution will serve as a reminder to any that might be to tempted to take shortcuts, that we will take action where legislation is not followed.”