A TAXI driver from Stretford has been given eight penalty points on his licence and fined for illegally plying for hire and no insurance.

Hassan Tariq, 35, of Barton Road, was found guilty at Salford Magistrates Court of plying for hire outside Manchester United's football ground and for having no insurance after this became invalid because the passengers he was carrying had not pre-booked.

He was fined £150 for plying for hire, £300 for having no insurance, was given eight penalty points on his licence as well as being made to pay costs.

Tariq was discovered plying for hire at the MUFC v Besiktas match last November by licensing officers from Trafford Council. They were carrying out an operation on the evening after receiving reports of such incidents.

Only black cabs are insured to pick up on the highway in the area they are licensed in or from designated taxi ranks. Anyone travelling in a private hire vehicle that hasn't been pre-booked will not be insured.