A Wolverhampton-licensed taxi driver has been fined more than £3,500 after being caught illegally plying for hire outside Old Trafford as football fans left a Manchester United match.
According to Trafford Council, 55-year-old Mr Ali Imran Shah Shreen was seen waiting in his black Toyota Auris on Sir Alex Ferguson Way following Manchester United’s Premier League game against Brentford when enforcement officers noticed suspicious behaviour.
The officers’ attention was drawn after a woman was heard exclaiming, “£25?! Are you joking?!” to the driver. When approached, Mr Shreen repeatedly refused to show his private hire driver’s badge, only complying when told failure to do so would be an additional offence.
After officers confirmed he had been attempting to pick up passengers without a pre-booked job, Mr Shreen reportedly told them: “It was only one time!”
Only Hackney Carriages licensed by Trafford Council can legally pick up passengers without advance bookings in the borough. Private hire drivers, including those licensed elsewhere such as Wolverhampton, must operate on a pre-booked basis only.
At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Mr Shreen was found guilty of:
- Illegally plying for hire
- Failing to wear his driver identification badge
- Obstructing an authorised officer
He was fined £1,453, ordered to pay a £581 victim surcharge, and £1,500 in costs, totalling £3,543.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said:
“We are committed to ensuring the public are protected, and that the trading environment is fair, protecting consumers and drivers that are licensed to operate in the borough.”
DM News Commentary
This latest case adds to growing concerns about out-of-area private hire drivers operating around major football venues. Wolverhampton-plated vehicles continue to appear in enforcement operations across the UK, often due to the city’s lower licensing fees and flexible vehicle rules.
For drivers, this serves as another strong warning — working outside your licensing authority without pre-booked jobs can lead to serious fines, court action, and potential licence loss.
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