Court upholds decision to revoke taxi licence

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has reaffirmed its commitment to maintain high standards among taxi and private hire drivers after Warwickshire Magistrates Court upheld its decision to revoke a Hackney carriage and Private Hire driver's licence.

Mr P Gardner, aged 44 of Blackwell, Shipston-on-Stour appeared before Warwickshire Magistrates Court at the beginning of October to appeal against the District Council's decision to revoke his dual driver's licence following complaints about his behaviour. 

The conviction for a public order offence of harassment and 3 separate complaints from passengers in his taxi and also verbally abusing members of council staff resulted in him not being a 'fit and proper person' to hold a dual driver's licence.

The court upheld the District Council's Licensing Panel's decision and ordered him to pay £2,000 towards costs.

Cllr Gillian Roache, Community Safety, Health & Well Being Portfolio says: “We welcome the result of this case and the confirmation that the District Council's decision to revoke this man's licence was the right one. A taxi driver is in a very key position of trust and we take any allegation of any kind very seriously. The protection of the travelling public is of paramount importance to the District Council and we will continue to prosecute people who put members of the public at risk. People have the right to expect a courteous and safe driver and the court's decision sends a strong signal in support of that."