Mohammed Shokat, 31, of Queen's Road, Halifax, was found guilty at Calderdale Magistrates' Court of using an unlicensed vehicle for private hire.

Zulficar Ali, prosecuting, said Shokat failed to produce the car for inspection after a complaint was lodged against him for the incorrect position of his licence plates.

"He had warning letters that if he did not take the car for inspection the licence would be suspended and that's what happened."

But the car was seen being used by Express Cars, of Ward's End, by Mick Kenyon of Calderdale Council's licensing department.

It had been hired out to the firm by Shokat to rep-lace a car being repaired.

Shokat, representing himself, said the car had been with Express and he thought the firm had taken it for the inspection.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £550 costs.