visitors, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Malcolm Symonds, of Bean Dale Road, Spanish Point, pleaded guilty to the offence and driving while impaired.

Symonds told the court he was on Front Street on October 18 of last year when a taxi driver asked him to park his taxi in the taxi queue while he ran up to the Oasis nightclub.

But when he got into the cab two visitors jumped in the back, told him they were in a rush and wanted to go to Newstead guest house, he said.

Believing he had time to drive them to the guest house in Paget and get back before the driver returned, Symonds said he took the visitors to their destination.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said Symonds tried to get $7 from the couple, but did not. Police, who received a report the taxi was removed, later pulled Symonds over.

A breathalyser proved him intoxicated. Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp granted Symonds a 12-month conditional discharge for the impersonating offence.

But she banned Symonds from driving for a year and fined him $400 for impaired driving.