A Middlesbrough private hire driver has had his licence revoked following a "rapid pursuit" of a cyclist in Stockton.

The incident, captured on CCTV, was viewed by members of Middlesbrough Council licensing committee, and showed the driver driving in a dangerous manner.

The  footage showed the driver chasing the cyclist through streets and even across a car park. The driver later admitted to the incident but claimed he was "pressured by unknown customers" to pursue the cyclist.

However, the committee found the driver's explanation to be "dishonest" and determined that he was not a "fit and proper person" to hold a private hire licence.

The driver had previously been the victim of a burglary by the cyclist, which may have contributed to his actions. However, the committee emphasised that this did not justify his reckless driving.

The driver's licence was revoked with immediate effect for the safety of the public, reasons given included: 

• The driver appeared to run a red light and the committee believed he made excuses for his driving, rather than taking responsibility.
• Based on the evidence presented to them, the committee decided the driver was “dishonest”.
• The committee took the view the driver was "lying" to licensing officers when he told the officers "he was being pressured by unknown customers to chase the cyclist".
• The driver had claimed that on the night in question that “he was on a job”, this turned out not to be the case.
• The committee believed that the driving demonstrated in the CCTV was “dangerous and erratic”. 

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An elderly man suffered a fractured vertebrae after his wheelchair rolled out of an open taxi door in Ayrshire.

The incident occurred when the driver, Alexander Collins, failed to secure the wheelchair and then opened the door behind the passenger.

South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel was told that Kenneth McAlpine, the passenger's son, booked the taxi to take his father to a dentist appointment. Despite acknowledging that he could not safely secure the wheelchair, Mr Collins proceeded with the journey.

Mr McAlpine stated that he should not have accepted the ride but did so due to the heavy rain and the short distance to the destination.

Upon arrival, Mr Collins opened the door behind the passenger, and the wheelchair, with the elderly man still in it, rolled out onto the pavement.

The passenger was hospitalised with a fractured vertebrae and remained there for over a month.

Mr McAlpine made a complaint about the actions of the driver in not securing his father’s wheelchair and then opening the door behind his father while he was not secured.

Mr Collins claimed that Mr McAlpine had helped him load the wheelchair and had assured him that the brakes were engaged. He also stated that he had intended to retrieve the ramps before opening the door but that the wheelchair rolled out before he could do so.

However, Mr McAlpine refuted this, stating that he had exited the taxi through the opposite door and that the door his father fell from was closed when he left.

Mr McAlpine told councillors that other taxi drivers and private hires had no problems using the straps to secure the wheelchair.

Civic Licensing Standards Officer Donna Scobie emphasised that taxi drivers should not proceed with a hire if they cannot safely secure a wheelchair and should instead contact their booking office to arrange for a suitable vehicle.

The panel, while acknowledging the seriousness of the incident, decided against suspending Mr Collins' licence. Instead, they ordered him to complete relevant training within six months.

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A former taxi driver who was twice arrested on suspicion of rape, including allegations of gang rape and kidnapping, has been deemed unfit to hold a taxi licence by a Stockton Council licensing committee.

The driver's licence was initially suspended in 2020 following his arrest on rape and coercive control charges. In 2021, he was arrested again, facing allegations from a woman who claimed she was imprisoned, gang-raped, and injected with heroin.

While Cleveland Police did not pursue charges in either case, the driver maintained his innocence, claiming the allegations were fabricated or malicious.

He argued that since he was never convicted, he should be considered a "fit and proper person" to hold a licence.

However, the committee found inconsistencies in his accounts and deemed him "disingenuous and evasive." They were particularly concerned about his failure to disclose both arrests to the licensing department.

The committee concluded that the driver's past raised serious concerns about his suitability to transport members of the public. They emphasised that a taxi licence is a privilege, not a right, and that the safety of passengers is paramount.

The driver's application for a new licence was ultimately refused.

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Chelmsford City Council is facing opposition from local taxi drivers over plans to charge them between £500 to £1,500 for permits to operate at the new Beaulieu Park railway station.

Chelmsford City Council owns the land allocated for the new station taxi rank at the station and says it will manage it accordingly.  

The council aims to limit the number of taxis accessing the rank, potentially issuing only 50 permits in the first year.

There are about 200 black cabs, 100 of which pay £1,200 for permission to use the rank at Chelmsford Station, which Greater Anglia owns. However, Chelmsford Taxi Drivers Association said they believe it is “unjust and unlawful” for a council to profit from the licensed trade - regardless of where the funds end up.

A statement on behalf of the Chelmsford Taxi Drivers Association claimed the council wanted to “double permit” the drivers - saying they already pay to license their vehicles as taxis.

The association said: “Any refusal to allow a locally licensed hackney carriage vehicle from using a locally adopted taxi rank would be an offence and a complete waste of council funds, and any suggestion otherwise would be, in our opinion, misplaced."

They further warned that the council could face legal challenges if it proceeds with the proposed charges.

The association expressed concerns that these restrictions could discourage taxis from operating at the station, compromising public safety and convenience. "Ensuring that sufficient taxis are available to transport the public home safely and promptly should remain a key priority for the council," the statement emphasised.

Chelmsford City Council acknowledged that it owns the land and therefore is responsible for implementing a system that manages vehicle access to the rank, both accommodating passengers’ needs and preventing clogging of routes into and out of the station.

A council spokesperson stated that permit systems are common at rail stations allowing a limited number of vehicles access. 

The spokesperson added: "On Thursday, January 23, the council’s Regulatory Committee agreed to a consultation regarding the proposal for use of the taxi rank at Beaulieu Park station to require a permit.

"This proposal will be open for consultation for six weeks, with consultees including all taxi operators and drivers within the Chelmsford City Council area as well as other interested parties.

“Following the consultation period, all responses will be brought back to the Regulatory Committee for members to consider.”

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"Worthing Borough Council Licensing Unit are contacting you as a matter of courtesy to make you aware that we have received an application from Uber Britannia Ltd and have recently issued a new operators licence to them.

"We are responsible for the licensing of hackney carriage (taxi) drivers and vehicles, private hire drivers and vehicles, and private hire operators in Worthing.

"When assessing a private hire operator licence, we consider various criteria to ensure that the operator is fit and proper and can meet the necessary standards.

"Our primary function is the protection of the public, while providing businesses with the relevant licences necessary to carry out a legitimate business. We have a duty to consider all lawful applications, which are all subject to the same checks.

"There is no facility to consult with the trade as part of the process and any operator licence application is private until such time it has been granted. However we wanted to contact you as we appreciate it would be better for you to hear from us first wherever possible.

"If you have any questions then do not hesitate to contact the licensing office."

Regards

Teresa Bowley

Licensing Specialist

Public Health & Regulation

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