A private hire driver has been fined and given six penalty points after undercover Trafford Council officers caught him illegally picking up a fare outside Old Trafford following a Manchester United match.
Abdul Kayum Talukdar, 47, of Brook Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne, pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 2 October to unlicensed plying for hire and driving without proper insurance. He was fined £500, ordered to pay a £200 surcharge and £300 towards costs — £1,000 in all — plus six points on his licence.
The sting
The case arose after United’s 4–2 Premier League win over Brighton at Old Trafford on 25 October 2025 — see BBC Sport.
According to Messenger Newspapers, Talukdar was parked on double yellow lines when he drove towards officers from Trafford’s Licensing Enforcement Team, wound down his window and agreed to take them into the city centre. No private hire booking had been made.
Asked how much it would cost, he first replied: "how much will you give me?" then insisted on £20.
Shortly after the journey began, the officers identified themselves and told him to pull over. He apologised, said it was his "first time" and asked not to be taken to court, citing his wife and young children.
Why it matters
In Trafford, only hackney carriages licensed by the council may take street or rank fares without a booking. Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a licensed operator — see Trafford Council taxis and private hire.
Picking up an unbooked fare also voids insurance cover, which is why courts typically charge both plying for hire and no insurance.
Cllr Keleigh Glenton, Trafford’s executive member for community safety and civil contingencies, said: "This court results shows that we take the safety of the public very seriously. Only Hackney Carriages licensed by Trafford Council are permitted to pick up fares without a booking. This driver committed the offence of illegally plying for hire. By doing so, he invalidated his insurance which puts the lives of Trafford residents and visitors at risk."
She thanked the licensing team for action at "one of our most popular visitor destinations" and said Trafford’s own hackney drivers "work hard to provide transport for those who need it in the borough."
Matchday touting around Old Trafford is a long-running enforcement priority for Trafford. Similar undercover operations have led to other prosecutions after football and cricket fixtures.
Passengers unsure about a vehicle can check plates and book through a licensed operator, or use Trafford’s taxi and private hire complaints route if something looks wrong.