Cheltenham taxi driver could lose licence after failing to declare fraud convictionA taxi driver could have his licence revoked after he failed to declare a fraud conviction.
Mohammed Ahmed, who receives housing benefit, will appear before Cheltenham Borough Council's licensing committee on Wednesday, October 12 after failing to announce an increase in his income.
He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and had to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs when convicted at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on September 1.
According to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, when hackney carriage and private hire drivers are sentenced for a crime their convictions are never spent.
A report by licensing team officer Louis Krog says "the overriding consideration is the safety of the public" and that "the council has a duty to ensure so far as possible that those licensed to drive hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are suitable persons to do so."
He added: "[They must be] safe drivers with good driving records and adequate experience, sober, courteous, mentally and physically fit, honest and not persons who would take advantage of their employment.
"Hackney carriage and private hire drivers are listed occupations under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
"This means that an applicant must disclose ALL convictions when applying for the grant of a licence."
Officers received information about Mr Ahmed's conviction on Monday, September 19 and his licence will be revoked if "the committee considers him not to be a fit and proper person to hold such licence."
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