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Posted on the 12th March 2025 in PHTM News
NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL DENIES TAXI LICENCE TO DRIVER 16 TIMES OVER DRUG LIMIT
James Moore's bid for a taxi driver's licence was rejected by North Ayrshire Council's licensing committee due to a prior conviction for driving under the influence of drugs at an alarmingly high level.
The decision, made on 5 March, stemmed from a police background check revealing Moore’s history of road traffic offences.
Sergeant David Markin informed the committee that Moore had been disqualified from driving for two years and fined £400 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in February 2022.
This followed an incident on 5 April of the previous year where Moore was found to have 800 micrograms per litre of benzoylecgonine in his blood, a metabolite of cocaine, far exceeding the legal limit of 50mcg per litre.
He was also convicted of driving with 55mcg per litre of cocaine in his blood, surpassing the 10mcg per litre limit. The offenCes occurred in the Smithstone Way area of Irvine.
Police Scotland representatives objected to Moore's application, deeming him not "a fit and proper person" to hold a taxi driver’s licence. They also pointed out that his sentencing date meant he was disqualified from driving when he applied, and had not been driving for the required year prior to the application.
Moore pleaded his case, stating: “I made a mistake in life and everyone is entitled to a second chance. I don’t drink anymore and certainly don’t take drugs. I have a second child on the way and would like a more sustainable job. I hold my hands up to everything I did and know I was out of order. I can only apologise.”
However, Councillor Christina Larsen moved to reject the application, emphasising the severity of Moore's offences.
"We have to consider the level you were over the limit in each case," she said. "Holding a taxi driver’s licence in North Ayrshire is a privilege and we have high expectations of our taxi drivers.”
The committee unanimously agreed with Cllr Larsen's motion, denying Moore’s application on the grounds that he was not a "fit and proper person" due to his past convictions.
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