Taxi firm owner fined by Ofcom

The owner of a taxi firm was fined £1,600 for using an unlicensed radio frequency for his business for three years.

Communications regulator Ofcom brought the prosection against Dewsbury man Rafaqat Hussain, 52, as the owner of Heckmondwike based Abbey Cars.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that Brian Mason, an engineering officer employed by Ofcom, was working in Heckmondwike in May last year when he picked up a frequency that was unregistered.

Simon Gwynne, for Ofcom, told the court the frequency had been cancelled in September 2011 due to non-payment.

Mr Mason traced the frequency to the taxi firm’s office in Oldfield Lane and saw that the frequency was in use.

Hussain confirmed that he had been the owner of the business since 2006 and admitted he was responsible for the operation of the equipment and that it was owned by him.

He has since applied and been granted a new licence.

Hussain, who did not appear in court on Monday, was ordered to pay Ofcom full costs of £1,553.80, as well as a £100 fine and a £20 victim surcharge.