Damien Aston Sharp, 22, of Shrewsbury Drive, Backworth pleaded guilty to charges brought by North Tyneside Council of driving a private hire vehicle without a licence and using a private hire vehicle without insurance.

He appeared in court on Friday, March 28 and was fined a total of £100, £50 on each charge, ordered to pay £150 costs and a £15 surcharge and was disqualified for 28 days under the totting up process.

The court heard that two enforcement officers employed by North Tyneside Council saw a Vauxhall Vectra private hire vehicle driven by Mr Sharp drop off passengers at Meadow Vale, Northumberland Park on December 1, 2007.

The identity badge produced by Mr Sharp to the officers had expired on October 31, 2007.

He told officers that he thought the badge would expire at the same time as his licence plate, which was due to run out at the end of January.

The expiry of the private hire driving licence meant his insurance policy was invalid.

Records provided by Black N' White taxis showed he had worked as a private hire driver on a regular basis over the four weeks between the expiry of his licence and the date he was stopped by officers.