TWO men who were caught illegally plying for hire during last year's Reading Festival have been prosecuted.

Barbar Khawaja failed to attend court and was proven guilty in his absence after an undercover enforcement officer pretended to be a customer.

The 39-year-old, from Holberton Road, Reading, agreed to take the officer to Maidenhead for around £60 on August 26.

He was fined £150 and ordered to pay £200 costs plus £20 victim surcharge.

Mahboob Choudhry, 39, of Hill Street, Reading, admitted to the offence at Reading Magistrates' Court.

At 5.48pm on August 24, he was flagged down by an undercover enforcement officer, acting as a customer on Swansea Road, Reading.

He offered to take the officer to Windsor for around £40.

Mr Choudhry was ordered to pay £200 costs and £20 victim surcharge.