A former taxi driver who was continuing to operate while being suspended has been prosecuted.

Craig Lucas, of Rendcomb, Cirencester, pleaded guilty to working as a taxi driver even though his operating licence was suspended by Cotswold District Council.

Acting on information received from several sources, officers from the CDC made a taxi booking with Lucas's company, Phoenix Cabs in June 2018.

When the vehicle arrived, Lucas was driving even though he had been warned repeatedly by the council not to carry out taxi work during his suspension.

When interviewed, Lucas confirmed that he had been the driver. He said he had attempted to find someone else to do the work, but when no one else was available he had done it himself. He also admitted that this was not the first time he had done so whilst suspended.

Appearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on January 14 Lucas was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs to the council of £100 with a £30 victim surcharge after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was reminded that his driver licence has since been revoked by the council and he was also warned about the repercussions of re-offending.

Cllr Mark MacKenzie-Charrington, CDC cabinet member for licensing, said: "This prosecution clearly demonstrates the council's commitment to enforcing the regulations and protecting the safety of the public.

"We will have no hesitation in prosecuting other people who are found to have shown a blatant disregard for the law".

The prosecution was undertaken by officers in the licensing and enforcement teams at CDC, assisted by the council's Counter Fraud Unit (CFU).