Taxi Driver Online

Not really clear whether the reason for the refusal was the rape investigation or failure to disclose it, or both.

And doesn't this kind of thing show up on the DBS check?

Wannabe cabbie loses appeal over Three Rivers taxi licence

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/ ... i-licence/

A man had his Private Hire Driver’s Licence refused after not disclosing that he was once investigated by police.

The man was accused of rape in 2010 and faced an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary but no charges were brought against him.

His application to Three Rivers District Council for a private hire licence in September was rejected because of the investigation despite his Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) coming up clean.

The driver appealed the decision at St Albans Magistrates Court on February 18, but the magistrate backed the council’s decision.

The magistrate said: “The application form is clear about what you need to disclose, and you didn't disclose that information.

“You say it was simply a mistake. In our view the onus is clearly on you to understand and complete the application with all relevant details.

“It is not acceptable to say the incidents happened some time ago or other forms did not ask for the same information.

“We therefore conclude the council is not wrong. Appeal dismissed.”

The man was ordered to pay the council’s costs of £1,370.

Licensing committee chairman Steve Drury said: “Drivers of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage vehicles are expected to be persons of trust and when deciding whether an individual is ‘fit and proper’ or ‘safe and suitable’ the licensing officer’s overriding consideration is the safety of the public.

“The council will consider many factors in assessing an application under its Suitability Policy. “This can include any information from the police, even if an individual has not been charged or arrested and no further action was taken, as such additional information can show a pattern of behaviour.

“This appeal should set an example to all existing and new drivers that they must fully read and adhere to the relevant policies and application forms otherwise they risk having their application refused.”

I suspect the main reason was the fact that he didn't declare it, as it looks like no real discussion took place re the relevance of the rape allegation.

And the reason why the no criminal stuff appeared on the DBS is more than likely down to the council not asking or ticking the right boxes on the form.

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IDFIMH