Dual taxi & private hire licence holder has badge revoked after a number of complaints about conduct

A St Helens dual hackney carriage and private hire licence holder has had his badge revoked after the council received a number of complaints about the driver’s conduct.

A report was presented to the council's licensing committee in relation to the unnamed driver, who was only addressed as 'Driver HD615', at his licensing hearing.

Copies of all complaints made against the driver, accompanied by witness statements in relation to the complaints and notes of the interviews conducted by Licensing Officers with HD615, were presented to committee members.

The latest complaint about the driver was believed to have been made after he got into a heated row in public with another taxi/private hire driver.

A character reference for HD615, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, was read out to members by the Licensing Manager.

HD615 attended the meeting via a phone link and was given the opportunity to present their case to members and answer questions. HD615 was then invited to sum up their case and was advised that the committee’s decision would be conveyed to them the following day, with a detailed decision letter to follow in due course.

HD615 and licensing officers then left the meeting whilst the committee deliberated in private with the council’s solicitor.

The decision was made to revoke the licence of Driver HD615.

Image credit: Pixabay/St Helens Council