Cabbie's licence revoked for allegedly inappropriately touching passenger and not social distancing
A court has upheld a decision to revoke a Rushmoor dual taxi/PHV driver's licence after it was claimed he inappropriately touched a female passenger and breached COVID-19 guidelines.
The driver, from Bracknell, appealed against a decision by Rushmoor Borough Council to revoke his licence at Aldershot Magistrates' Court on Friday 13 August. However, the decision was upheld by Magistrates, and he was ordered to pay a contribution towards the council's legal costs of £1500.
The court heard that the man, a joint hackney carriage and private hire driver, had his licence revoked by the council after an allegation received in June 2020, that he was involved in an incident in Farnborough where it was claimed that he had inappropriately touched a female passenger.
It was alleged that he had hugged and tried to kiss the woman without her permission and that he had also put her at risk of COVID-19 after breaching guidelines by not socially distancing. Her friends complained to the operator, who alerted the council.
The council undertook an investigation and a decision to revoke his licence was made on the grounds of public safety.
Rushmoor Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Councillor Maurice Sheehan, said: "Customer safety will always be our number one priority, and we don't tolerate this sort of behaviour by any of our taxi drivers. We are pleased the court backed our decision."
