City of York Council's Licensing team has cracked down on an unlicensed taxi driver who has been working in the city.

Philip Beadle (47) pleaded guilty to driving a licensed private hire vehicle whilst not being the holder of a private hire drivers' licence at York Magistrates Court today (31 July). He was fined £180 and ordered to pay costs of £150.

Keith Newton (62), a partner in ABC Travel, Askham Bryan, the firm Mr Beadle was driving for, was fined £600 and ordered to pay costs of £1,850 for knowingly allowing a driver to undertake private hire work without the necessary licence.

The problem was identified when one of the council's Licensing Enforcement officers was carrying out  a spot check of school transport at Applefields School last year. They found Mr Beadle driving a minibus with three children onboard, without the necessary licence.

John Lacy, the council's Licensing manager, said: "All drivers emplyed on school contracts must have the necessary licence to drive the vehicle and must have passed enhanced checks by the Criminal Records Bureau.

"The council takes the safety of children within its care very seriously and will not tolerate unlicensed drivers working in the city."