Taxi driver loses second licensing appeal after TWICE being caught driving on pavement

A taxi driver who was caught driving on the pavement on two separate occasions has twice lost his appeal to retain his licence. Manzoor Hussain, age 46, of Combe Road, Tilehurst, had his taxi licence revoked by the Council’s Licensing Committee in August 2018 and lost his appeal to Reading Magistrates Court in March 2019.

His case was again considered at Reading Crown Court on 25 September 2019 where the court dismissed his appeal and ordered Mr Hussain to pay £2,000 costs.

The first offence committed by Manzoor Hussain was spotted by a police community support officer on 5 April 2018. Officers witnessed the 46-year-old driving from St Mary’s Butts to Oxford Road via the pavement in front of Metro bank and across the entrance to the Broad Street Mall to avoid traffic. On 16 May 2018 he was caught on CCTV driving across the pavement outside Tesco Express on Oxford Road. The Council’s Licensing Committee revoked Mr Hussain’s licence as members concluded he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Cllr Tony Page, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “It is essential that the behaviour of taxi drivers, licensed by Reading Council, meet the high standards expected and that the Council takes action when required. “I would like to thank the Council officers involved for seeing this case through and helping to secure a satisfactory outcome. Thanks to the hard work of the Council’s licensing team, we are sending out a very clear message this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. “I hope this case acts as a deterrent to other taxi drivers who may be tempted to flout the law in Reading.” 

Image credit: Pexels