An undercover operation by council officers has led to an unlicensed taxi driver being ordered to pay fines and costs of more than £2,000.

West Norfolk Council had been tipped off that Kevin Turner was operating an unlicensed private hire service in the Great Massingham area, near King's Lynn.

Officials booked journeys with him on two occasions and he drove them in his vehicle - on one occasion from West Acre to Great Massingham and the other from Great Massingham to King's Lynn.

He was later interviewed under caution, when he admitted twice acting as a private hire driver, acting as a private hire proprietor using an unlicensed vehicle, and failing to properly insure his vehicle as a taxi.

The council took the case to King’s Lynn Magistrates' Court on October 9, when Turner of Hyde Park Cottages, Massingham, did not attend.

He was found guilty in his absence of all four charges he had previously admitted in interview.

The court fined him £1,100 for the offences and ordered him to pay costs and surcharges of £990.

Turner was also issued with eight penalty points on his driving licence.

READ MORE: Retired dustman died after fracturing head during fall, court told

The borough council’s cabinet member for licensing,  Jim Moriarty, said after the hearing: “Licensing of drivers exists to keep the public safe.

"Drivers are subject to medical and background checks and their vehicles are tested to council standards which are stricter than a standard MOT.

“Unlicensed drivers bypass all this and present a danger to the public. No one has checked that they have the correct insurance or that they are a fit and proper person. It’s also unfair to those drivers who have gone through the licensing process."

Mr Moriarty added the council would investigate whenever it became aware of people operating unlicensed taxis and would prosecute them if any offences were discovered.

The council regulates taxis to prevent unroadworthy vehicles from putting travellers and the public in danger.

It also vets drivers to ensure that they are fit and proper to drive taxis, with all having to pass a medical and police check.