The owner of a private hire company based in Milnsbridge has been fined for licensing offences.
Mr John Beaumont owner and operator of JRT Private Hire appeared before Kirklees Magistrates' Court charged with driving a licensed private hire vehicle while not licensed to do so. He was fined £150 and ordered to pay £250 costs and a £20 victim support.
The court heard that in April this year a member of the Kirklees Licensing team witnessed Beaumont driving one of his company’s licensed vehicles. Mr Beaumont does not hold the required private hire drivers badge to drive licensed vehicles and had received several previous warnings from licensing officers.
Beaumont appeared before Huddersfield Magistrates Court where he pleaded not guilty to the offence, stating he was driving the vehicle in order to have it cleaned.
However, he was found guilty as legislation clearly states that only a licensed private hire driver may drive a licensed private hire vehicle.
