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Posted on the 21st November 2024 in PHTM News
STOCKTON CABBIE LOSES LICENCE OVER INTIMIDATING BEHAVIOUR AND RULE BREAKING
A Stockton driver has been stripped of his taxi/private hire licence following a series of incidents, including a hit-and-run, intimidation, littering and driving at police.
The driver, whose name has not been disclosed, initially denied involvement in a hit-and-run incident, claiming to be asleep at home at the time. However, he later changed his story, admitting to being the driver but denying the collision and any attempt to evade witnesses, despite CCTV evidence to the contrary.
He later said he had been lying and "waffling" to cover up for his son who was really driving his car without his knowledge while he was in bed on April 2.
In another incident, the driver was accused of littering and intimidating a member of the public. He admitted to littering but denied any aggressive behaviour. The complainant, however, testified that the driver followed her home and took a photo of her house, leaving her feeling intimidated.
The final complaint concerned CCTV "showing a private hire vehicle involved in facilitating drug dealing". According to Cleveland Police officers, the car was "driven towards the police car at speed and then on to a footpath to get away" when confronted in the early hours of May 15.
The driver's car was identified and his PH licence suspended the next day. He confirmed he was the sole driver of the vehicle, but told police his son - who did not have a full licence and was learning to drive - was behind the wheel at the time, claiming to be taking it to McDonald's. He said he now took his keys upstairs to stop it happening again.
A licensing committee hearing concluded that the driver's explanations for the various incidents were "dubious" and "insincere." The panel expressed concern about his attitude, rule-breaking behaviour, and his ability to ensure the safety of his passengers.
The committee heard of his PH licence history, including a suspension because of a fraud prosecution in 2004, advice over his attitude and overcharging and written warnings for using a phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to declare a motoring conviction and a shoplifting conviction revealed in a DBS check between 2007 and 2014.
The committee ultimately decided he was not a fit and proper person and revoked the driver's licence, citing his "intimidating and distressing behaviour" towards the witness and his history of disciplinary issues.
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