TAXI drivers who are not licensed to pick up fares in Barnsley have been urged to take notice of a recent prosecution by the council’s licensing board.

The board discussed 31-year-old Yasser Hussain, of Aldred Street, Rotherham, at last month’s meeting after the driver was reported for picking up a customer from Eldon Street, Barnsley, in January.

Hussain’s Sheffield-based licence prohibited him from picking up any customers who had not pre-booked and although he denied the offence, he was found guilty and was fined £150, ordered to pay court costs of £500 and a £30 victim surcharge at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.

Regulatory services officer Debbie Bailey said: “Ultimately this was an illegal vehicle plying for trade in Barnsley town centre. Although the punishment is not the biggest deterrent, what it does do is send out a message that this will not be tolerated.

“We are very grateful to the person who contacted us and informed us about their concerns. Barnsley people are clearly very concerned about who is driving them.”