Southampton taxi driver loses licence after seven complaintshttps://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/265755 ... omplaints/A taxi driver who was the subject of seven complaints, a ban from the Port of Southampton and an undisclosed speeding offence has lost his licence.
Councillors on a licensing sub-committee decided to revoke the private hire driver’s licence with immediate effect in the interests of public safety due to a “pattern of behaviour”.
The sub-committee concluded the driver was not a fit and proper person to hold the licence following a hearing held behind closed doors.
The decision notice from the meeting on Wednesday, September 16, says the man, whose name was redacted, did not attend the hearing.
A report written by Southampton City Council licensing compliance officer Kyran O’Neill said the department received a complaint from a member of the public relating to an alleged incident in June.
The complainant said the driver of the vehicle was travelling in the opposite direction, turned right into a lay-by and nearly caused a crash.
They said their wife, who was asleep in the front passenger seat, was thrown forward and left “shocked and traumatised” by what happened.
The taxi driver was accused of having “showed absolutely no remorse and offered no apology”.
Mr O’Neill’s report said he sent the details of the complaint to the taxi driver, requesting his comments and asking if he had dashcam footage.
The council officer said he was provided three video clips of a confrontation after the alleged driving incident.
Despite exchanging multiple emails, the taxi driver did not share any footage of the incident.
The report said the driver received a three-month ban from Southampton's docks by Associated British Ports (ABP) last year.
The council licensing department received a further complaint in July alleging the taxi driver was “driving like an absolute idiot, nearly hit oncoming traffic, swerving all over the road” and he was “very close to hitting pedestrians”.
Allegations in both of the complaints were denied by the driver in emails to the council officer.
Mr O’Neill’s report indicated these were the sixth and seventh complaints about the private hire driver.
The decision notice said: “The sub-committee was unimpressed that the driver chose not to attend and when combined with his behaviours leading to a ban at ABP, failure to disclose a speeding offence in breach of conditions and his refusal to assist the licensing officer with dashcam footage it seemed to form a pattern of behaviour.”
The driver had surrendered his vehicle licence and attempted to surrender his driver’s licence but the sub-committee disregarded this in making its decision.
Details of the speeding offence were not given in the report or decision notice.
The notice added: “With the history of driving complaints, including a speeding offence and the pattern of behaviour previously referred to, the sub-committee felt it had little option other than to revoke the licence.
“This was particularly so as the driver did not attend to make any representations or answer questions.”
Toqeer Kataria, councillor responsible for communities, safety and leisure, said the council takes public safety very seriously, with some of the highest standards in the country.
Cllr Kataria said: "The overwhelming majority of Southampton taxi drivers are safe, honest, good law-abiding people.
"Sadly, they are let down on occasions by the odd driver that chooses not to abide by the law.
"Fortunately, because of our vehicle livery rules, our licensed vehicles are conspicuous, and the public can report incidents to us.
"In this case, that ultimately led to the revocation of the driver’s licence."
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