A ‘fake’ taxi driver was caught driving a fare in Banbury.

Aamer Aziz, 44, of Himley Close, Wolverhampton, had attached false licence plates to his Skoda Superb, giving the impression he was registered with Bromsgrove council.

Further investigations showed the former cabbie had been licensed with the West Midlands council’s taxi team – but his licence was withdrawn in October 2019.

When he was stopped behind the wheel of his 2013-plate Skoda on Weeping Cross, Bodicote, in the early hours of May 14 this year, Aziz was said to have been carrying a passenger.

He pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court in November to fraud, driving without insurance and knowingly driving a private hire vehicle without a valid licence. The district judge sent the case to the crown court for sentence.

On Thursday, Judge Michael Gledhill KC was told that Aziz was unrepresented as legal aid had not yet been granted.

The judge agreed to adjourn sentence until February 3, but warned the former cab driver: “These offences are very serious indeed and my view at the moment is the only issue I have to resolve – two issues – [are] how long the appropriate prison sentence should be and whether I should suspend it or not.”

Aziz was granted conditional bail.

Amber Athill appeared for Cherwell District Council, which brought the case.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

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