Taxi driver not told of court conviction
A TAXI driver has had his conviction for touting for trade overturned after he was tried in his absence.
Darren Buckfield, 34, of Hapley Court, Crewe, read in the Chronicle last week that his case would be going before the council's licensing committee for a review in light of his conviction.
But Mr Buckfield had no idea he had been convicted of the offence, alleged to have been committed during part of a police and council clampdown on private hire vehicles looking for extra fares while out on jobs.
On December 16 last year, Mr Buckfield had been dropping off a fare in Castle Street, Crewe, when he was approached by the undercover officers.
He said: 'I was dropping off a fare and these people came up to me and asked me for a taxi. I radioed through, checked we could do the job, took their name and destination and was told by the office it was ok.
'I dropped them off at Nantwich Road station and didn't think any more of it.'
In January this year Mr Buckfield was shocked to be called for an interview at Nantwich police station, where he was accused of plying for hire.
'That was the last I heard of it, until I read in the paper that I had been found guilty.'
Mr Buckfield had been tried in his absence for the offence at Northwich Magistrates Court on April 30, was fined £600 for plying for hire, £400 for having no insurance, and had eight points added to his licence.
He added: 'I knew nothing about it, so after I saw it in the Chronicle I went to the council and then to the court, and within four hours the conviction was overturned.
'I've never had any trouble with the police before, and I was definitely not plying for hire. I was not able to defend myself in court because I knew nothing about it.'
A spokeswoman for Crewe magistrates court confirmed Mr Buckfield had been cleared of the offence, and he was unaware of the court case because he had moved address and could not be contacted.
'A statutory declaration was sworn in court and the conviction was quashed because the person knew nothing about the proceedings or summons,' the spokeswoman said.
Jul 4 2007 cheshireonline
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