Posted on the 27th February 2026 in PHTM News
A taxi driver licensed by Manchester City Council was caught illegally hunting for fares following a Manchester United match at Old Trafford.
Guru Fatay Ronuk Singh, 44, was spotted by undercover licensing officers on January 19, 2025, after United’s 3-1 loss to Brighton.
Singh, from Urmston, was parked in a bus stop on Chester Road with his “for hire” sign lit up. When the undercover team asked for a lift to the city centre, Singh accepted the trip.
Once the car was moving, the officers revealed their identities and ordered him to pull over.
During a later interview, Singh confessed to using the sign to lure in passengers, though he claimed he simply forgot to switch it off, admitting he made “a very big boo boo.”
The mistake proved expensive at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, where Singh was found guilty of plying for hire without insurance.
He was ordered to pay a £180 fine, a £48 victim surcharge, and £180 in costs, while also receiving six points on his licence.
Cllr Rose Thompson of Trafford Council noted that this case highlights a “wider problem” on matchdays.
She explained that by picking up unbooked fares outside his licensed area, Singh invalidated his insurance and risked public safety.
“This court prosecution shows our officers are watching and will take action,” Thompson warned, adding that the team remains committed to supporting drivers who follow the rules.