Drive ban for rogue party limo firm boss

A rogue businessman who rented unlicensed and unsafe vehicles to prom and party-goers has been banned from driving and ordered to pay almost £9,000 – after being caught out in a council sting.

Darryl Williams, who used to own Redhot Rescue and Oddball Limos, unknowingly ferried 11 council officers in a novelty fire engine.

Williams, of Talbot Place, Bilston, now works as a taxi driver after both companies hit the skids following a damning report by the Traffic Commissioner.

The 35-year-old appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday where he was sentenced for a string of safety, licensing and insurance charges. The court also heard how he had a catalogue of previous convictions, including running red lights, speeding on the motorway and driving while on the phone.

The main vehicle in Williams's fleet was a fire engine called The Oddity, which featured a dancefloor and bar. Williams drove the engine without a private hire or Public Service Vehicle Operators licence for three years and it did not have the correct MOT. It was later found to have dodgy safety rails, unsafe seating and insufficient anti-slip surfaces to stop passengers falling over.

The council and police sting was carried out on December 12 last year as Williams was continuing to advertise Oddball Limos despite not having the correct licences.

A fake trip from Wolverhampton's Great Western pub to Broad Street was arranged for the legal maximum of 10 people for £300. On the day, 11 passengers – all council officers – were allowed on board and The Oddity was eventually pulled over by police.

Miss Amy Jacobs, prosecuting, said: "In interview, he admitted he had been running the businesses for three years with a fleet of four vehicles and had no licence for any of that time." Williams was fined £2,530, ordered to pay £6,322 costs and was disqualified from driving for six months.

Chairman of the bench Alan Leo said: "It was more luck than judgement that nothing serious ever happened on board these vehicles." Williams had previously pleaded guilty to 15 charges.