Smoke's no joke for Brighton cabbie

Smoking in a taxi has proved costly for Brighton cabbie.

Lee Blackmore, 47, of Sherbourne Road, Hove, has been fined £600 and ordered to pay £350 costs and £20 victim surcharge after being found guilty of three charges of smoking in a smoke free place.

Len Batten, prosecuting on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council, told Eastbourne Magistrates that Blackmore had a history of smoking in taxis and had ignored verbal warnings and a fixed penalty fine.

Smoking in a Hackney carriage is an offence under Section 5 of the Health Act 2006.

Tim Nicholls, Head of Regulatory Services for Brighton & Hove City Council said: “We are pleased that the magistrates clearly supported our decision to prosecute Mr Blackmore and hope that the fine imposed will act as a warning to others.”