A taxi driver has been prosecuted after picking up a passenger at Trentham Lakes outside the district where he was licensed.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council says the driver used a temporary match-day taxi pickup point on 26 December 2025 despite holding a Newcastle-under-Lyme hackney carriage licence.
The council says he also charged an upfront fare rather than using his meter.
Guilty plea and fine
The driver pleaded guilty at North Staffordshire Justice Centre. According to the council, a £325 fine was reduced to £250 following the plea, with £851.92 in costs also ordered.
The authority says hackney carriages may only pick up passengers who hail them or use ranks within their own licensing district.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement, said the rules are intended to protect passengers and the council would continue enforcement.