Sex offenders, a drug dealer and an attempted murderer allowed to drive taxis on Teessidequite a detailed reportDangerous criminals - including sex offenders, a drug dealer and an attempted murderer - have been allowed to drive passengers on Teesside.
Today, The Gazette can reveal a shocking catalogue of serious offenders were granted Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences to drive minibuses without any criminal record checks.
In one of the most serious cases, a driver served 20 years in prison for attempted murder - but was handed a PSV licence to drive a vehicle run by a taxi company in Redcar and Cleveland.
Another driver convicted of harassment and inappropriate conduct with a child received a PSV licence and even applied to carry out school contracts in the Stockton and Hartlepool area.
The list, released by Stockton North MP Alex [edited by admin], shows eight Teesside drivers had their licence revoked by local councils only to be issued PSV licences by the DVLA - often in the same area with the same company.
One driver, operating in the Stockton and Hartlepool area, had his licence revoked by the council after inappropriate conduct with young female and vulnerable passengers.
But within six months he was granted a PSV licence and was back working at the same company.
Another was struck off by the council for using data from booking and dispatch records to call and text two young female passengers from his mobile phone, only to carry on driving PSVs.
In Middlesbrough , one driver who served seven years for supplying class A drugs and another who had inappropriate sexual behaviour with a passenger also went on to receive PSV licences.
This week, Mr [edited by admin] raised the loophole in the Commons. He said: “It is absurd to me how a local authority can revoke the licence of someone who can then just go down to the DVLA and get an alternative licence that enables them to continue working despite posing a huge threat to vulnerable people.”
Responding to Mr [edited by admin], transport minister Andrew Jones MP said: “We’re actually strengthening the law in this area, and that’s why there was a Government amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill made to allow the issuing of statutory guidance to issuing authorities.
“This is obviously a work in progress. It’s a critical issue, taken seriously by this department and also by the Home Office, and there is clearly action being taken.”
REDCAR AND CLEVELAND
Council revoked the licence of a driver charged with attempted murder and was jailed for 20 years.
Police notified the council that he is driving a PSV vehicle run by a taxi company.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Driver who served seven years for supplying class-A drugs applied for a taxi-licence after being handed a PSV licence.
His application was rejected and he was referred to the Traffic Commissioner who revoked his PSV licence.
Driver had his licence revoked after he was accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger in his vehicle.
He went on to obtain a PSV licence driving minibuses for another taxi company.
Driver’s taxi licence revoked after two complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour with a passenger.
He went on to obtain a PSV licence.
HARTLEPOOL AND STOCKTON
Driver had licence revoked in 2014 following a conviction for harassment and other allegations of harassment and inappropriate conduct with a child.
He obtained a PSV licence and applied to carry out school contracts.
Driver had licence refused for misconduct with young female and vulnerable passengers.
He applied for, and was granted, a PSV licence within six months – working for the same company.
Driver’s licence was revoked for inappropriate conduct with two young female passengers.
He used data from booking and dispatch records to call and text them from his mobile phone.
He is now working for the same taxi company - driving a PSV.
DARLINGTON
Driver had licence refused because the applicant had a history of sex offending and inappropriate behaviour with female passengers.
He was convicted of sexual assault when he was 16 and when he was licensed arrested twice – once for inappropriate touching of a passenger and another of rape.
He went on to work for a firm in Darlington, and then a firm in Middlesbrough as a PSV driver.
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