Michelle Greaves, aged 40, of Probert Avenue, Goldthorpe, proprietor of D&M Cars, pleaded guilty at Barnsley Magistrates' Court to using an unlicensed private hire vehicle and driver.

Driver Ricky Dobson, 24, also of Probert Avenue, Goldthorpe, pleaded guilty to driving an unlicensed vehicle and not holding a private hire driver's licence. Greaves and Dobson were each fined £115, ordered to pay costs of £187 and a victim surcharge of £15, making a total of £317 each. They also received six points on their driving licences.

Also in court was Michael Moore, 41, of Wombwell Avenue, New Hill, Wath, who was charged with driving without a private hire driver's licence.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £490, plus £356.62 costs and a £15 victim surcharge - a total of £861.62.

Coun Charles Wraith, chairman of the General Regulatory Licensing Board, said: "Unlicensed vehicles and drivers do not have the required checks carried out by Barnsley Council to ensure they are safe for the public to use, therefore they put members of the public at significant risk.

"Where a vehicle is driven illegally, insurance is void and if it is involved in an accident the passengers would also be uninsured.

"These breaches of the legislation are totally unacceptable and the council's enforcement staff will continue to work with the trade in Barnsley to ensure illegal drivers, vehicles and operators are removed from the streets and that the safety of the travelling public is improved."

Coun Wraith praised the council's enforcement staff for their hard work in securing the prosecutions and members of the trade who continued to assist the council by providing information on illegal vehicles and drivers.

Anyone with information about illegal operators should contact the council's Regulatory Services on 01226 772468.