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| Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41419 |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sat May 03, 2025 7:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age but I think this driver has been harshly dealt with, even though he has kept his license. Taxi driver who was ‘caught short’ on Stockton High Street captured on CCTV - but keeps licence https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... t-31544982 A Middlesbrough-based taxi driver who was ‘caught short’ in Stockton High Street has retained his licence. The man’s private hire vehicle driver licence was at risk of being revoked by Middlesbrough Council’s licensing committee, but in the end he was let off with a warning. The taxi driver had already paid a fine to Stockton Council, prior to the meeting of the licensing committee. Ahead of the decision made by councillors, it was highlighted that he had a health condition, a symptom of which was that he required the toilet frequently. Minutes from the meeting confirmed that the taxi driver had been licensed with Middlesbrough Council since January 2017 and was appearing in front of the committee “as a result of an incident on November 7, 2024, which raised concerns regarding his suitability as a licensed driver”. The committee heard that Stockton's Trading Standards Team notified Middlesbrough’s Licensing department that a driver was seen urinating at the side of a private hire vehicle in Stockton High Street. CCTV footage showed that the incident took place at approximately 3.52am. The driver’s identity was later confirmed. When interviewed over the phone on November 22, 2024, “the driver admitted to the incident and explained he had been ‘caught short’ and took medication for a health condition, a symptom of which was requiring the toilet more frequently. A check of the driver’s most recent medical report confirmed this”, minutes detailed. The committee heard that the driver in question had paid the fine that had been given to him and he confirmed that the report was an accurate reflection of the facts, prior to addressing the committee in support of his case. Following deliberation, it was decided that the man would retain his private hire vehicle driver license but would also receive a warning regarding his future conduct. Further details regarding the reasoning for the decision reached by the committee explained that the driver had “informed officers that he was type two diabetic and a symptom of this condition was that he must use the toilet every couple of hours". The driver stated that he checked to ensure nobody could see him. "The driver was unaware he had been captured on CCTV,” the meeting was told. The driver considered the incident an “emergency type” situation and the committee noted this mitigation. The driver was reminded of the Code of Conduct, which includes the expectation that drivers will not urinate in public. The committee believed that a warning “was appropriate to educate the driver that this behaviour would not be tolerated”. |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Sun May 04, 2025 4:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
Quote: it was highlighted that he had a health condition, a symptom of which was that he required the toilet frequently. diabetes perchance ? |
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| Author: | Chris the Fish [ Sun May 04, 2025 4:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
edders23 wrote: diabetes perchance ? As it says "the driver had “informed officers that he was type two diabetic...." you are probably right. Didn't read it fully perchance? |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sun May 04, 2025 6:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
So the council has agreed that the fella has a medical condition that means he needs to pee a bit more than someone without it. The peeing took place at 4.00 am in the morning, and there were no complaints from any member of the public. Council CCTV picked up the peeing and issued a fine, which he paid. Yet still, someone at the council wanted to punish him further. Absolute toss pots of the highest order in my view. |
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| Author: | StuartW [ Sun May 04, 2025 8:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
Sussex, meant to look back at other cases from the same concil, but I was also thinking along the lines of 'easy target'. Maybe I was thinking of the one by Stockton Council where a driver paid a prostitute for sex in a red light area, and he lost his badge as a consequence. And he'd also been reported by Stockton Council to his own licensing authority in Middlesborough: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41078&p=435281 |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Mon May 05, 2025 5:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
Quote: Council CCTV picked up the peeing and issued a fine, which he paid. Of course, the council can't fine someone for the criminal offences of peeing in the street, or exposure, so one has to wonder exactly what they fined him for. Maybe, and the only thing I can think of is that it was for littering. |
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| Author: | StuartW [ Mon May 05, 2025 9:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
Had a look for the minutes, but couldn't find them But maybe the fine is issued under this Public Spaces Protection Order thingy, as described below in a Middlesborough Council news release. Not clear if it's just a general fine for ASB, or if there's a specific provision for urination, but from what I can see via Google they're quite a flexible instrument in that regard Heavy fines send out strong message to town centre offenders https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/latest ... offenders/ A strong message has been sent to offenders intent on behaving badly in Middlesbrough town centre. Two men who were caught urinating in the street in broad daylight will have to pay out hundreds of pounds in fines, as will a woman who smoked openly in Middlesbrough bus station before hurling her lit cigarette on the floor when spotted. All three were found guilty of breaching the town centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which gives Middlesbrough Council the power to give on the spot fines to those causing antisocial behaviour. Each had been given a £25 Fixed Penalty Notice, which doubles to £50 unless paid in the first 14 days. But when they were ignored, all three were summonsed to Teesside Magistrates’ Court. On May 12 this year, a street warden witnessed Mpho Sikhphuki urinating against the wall of a charity shop on Davison Street in the town centre “in broad daylight”, while not wearing shoes or socks. The court heard that eight children were passing by as the 24-year-old relieved himself. Sikhphuki, of Cavendish Road, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, did not attend court and the case against him was proven in his absence, leaving him with £612.50 in fines and court costs to pay. Another man, Matthew O’Leary, did attend court and pleaded guilty to breaching the PSPO by urinating against a wall at the Hill Street shopping centre at 1.15pm on March 19. The 40-year-old, of Clough Close, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, was ordered to pay £206 in fines and costs. Candice Watson also did not attend court, but the case against her – that she purposely dropped litter, in breach of the PSPO - was proven in her absence. Watson had been spotted smoking inside Middlesbrough Bus Station at 2.25pm on April 20. When approached by a Middlesbrough Council street warden, she was seen throwing the lit cigarette on the floor. The 43-year-old, of Hartington Road, Stockton, was ordered to pay £612.50 in fines and costs. Cllr Janet Thompson, the Executive Member for Community Safety at Middlesbrough Council, said the tough action send a strong message to offenders. “We will not tolerate this sort of disrespectful and damaging antisocial behaviour which ruins the town centre experience for a lot of our residents,” she said. “There is lots happening in Middlesbrough and we want people to come into the town to shop, use the fantastic leisure attractions and enjoy the brilliant restaurants, bars and cafes we have on offer. “That’s why we will continue to crack down on this sort of unacceptable behaviour." |
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| Author: | StuartW [ Mon May 05, 2025 9:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Driver keeps license after CCTV show peeing in street |
Quote: Sikhphuki, of Cavendish Road, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, did not attend court and the case against him was proven in his absence, leaving him with £612.50 in fines and court costs to pay. The phrase 'spending a penny' should really be adjusted for inflation, fines and court costs
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