A 75-year-old Carlisle private hire driver has appeared in court after breaching taxi licensing laws when he used his personal car to take an autistic student to college.
Barry Haden, a long-serving cabbie, was prosecuted despite not charging the family for the journeys. He explained that his decision was driven by compassion, as he did not want to let the student and his family down after his licensed taxi broke down with an electrical fault.
The case came to light after a tip-off from a rival driver. While Haden usually transported the student in his licensed vehicle, he used his own Honda on five occasions when his taxi was off the road.
At Carlisle’s Rickergate court, prosecutor Jonathan Farnworth told magistrates that although no money exchanged hands, the use of an unlicensed vehicle breached regulations. “The licensing rules are there to ensure legal safeguards and standards are met,” he said.
A moving character reference was given by the student’s father, who attended court in support of Haden. He described the strong bond between the pensioner and his son, who has complex learning needs.
The father told magistrates that his son refused to travel with any other driver, and praised Haden’s dedication, recalling how “even after a close bereavement, he insisted on taking my son to college.” He added: “That shows the quality of the man you have here. It would be devastating for my son if Barry couldn’t continue driving him.”
Haden pleaded guilty to the offence. Magistrates, recognising his good character, handed him a three-month conditional discharge, meaning he will face no further punishment provided he does not reoffend during that time. He was also ordered to pay £74 in costs and a £26 surcharge.
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