A MAN who operated an unlicensed taxi-cab in Southend has been fined £1,000.

Edward Bridgland, 37, of Brunswick Road, South-end, said he was so broke that he was forced to drive around the town, picking up customers to make ends meet.

He pleaded guilty at Southend Magistrates’ Court to driving without insurance and plying for hire without a Hackney carriage licence.

Bridgland was caught driving passengers in the town on Friday, June 12, after legitimate cabbies reported him.

Representing himself, he admitted: “I was skint. It’s not a full defence. The insurance was total neglect. It was just so difficult to get insurance on that car.

“I have insurance now and it has cost me a hell of a lot more than I earned as an illegal taxi driver. I understand you may ban me, which may, in effect, make me lose my job.”

Passing sentence, chairman of the bench Colin Campbell said: “We actually view these offences very seriously indeed. You had no insurance and you were carrying passengers.”

Bridgland was banned for eight months and fined £500 for driving without insurance.

He was fined a further £500 for plying for hire and ordered to pay £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Dave Clift, secretary of the Southend Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, welcomed the court’s sentence.

He said: “He was driving without insurance, which highlights the dangers of using unlicensed taxis.

“It is an issue drivers, the council and the police are constantly warning the public about.

“Cabbies spotted him very quickly and reported him, because he had none of the documents all licensed drivers must display in Southend.

“We hope this will warn off anybody considering the same thing.”

Mr Clift added all licensed cabs had stickers on theirs doors and a licence plate on the back of the vehicle, bearing the council’s crest.

Cabbies are also required to carry a personal driver’s licence with a photo and must show it, if challenged.