Taxi Driver Online

UK Newsquest Regional Press - This is The West Country

August 31, 2006 Thursday

HEADLINE: Sex assault cabbie still taking fares

DATELINE: Somerset County Gazette

A MINEHEAD cabbie convicted of sexual assault on a female passenger is still taking fares in the town, the County Gazette can reveal.

Paul Gunter, 30, of Timberscombe, has been registered as a sex offender after he fondled a pregnant woman's breasts while taking her home from a town centre shopping expedition.

A jury found him guilty at Taunton Crown Court on August 18 but the hearing was adjourned until September 29 for pre-sentence reports.

Gunter was released on bail on con dition he does not carry female pas sengers in the front passenger seat of his cab. He was told on August 21 his Hackney carriage drivers licence was being suspended by West Somerset Council.

The County Gazette understands Gunter has changed the name of his taxi service from Magnum Taxis to Avacab. Taxi drivers in Minehead have ex- pressed concern about the situation. Ian Griffiths, of Alcombe Taxis, said: "I can't see how he can be allowed to carry on. "The whole idea is for passengers to get into a cab and feel safe. "We are all checked through the Criminal Record Bureau for previous convictions and I find it ludicrous that it's taken until now to tell him his licence is being revoked. "I'm not saying he's going to do anything but what happens if he does?

A spokesman for West Somerset Council, which administers taxi licences, said: "Following a conviction West Somerset Council's licensing department immediately wrote to inform the licence holder that it was suspending his Hackney carriage drivers licence." She said the suspension notice had been served on Monday, August 21, and any appeals against the suspen sion must be made to magistrates within 21 days. "Under current legislation laid down by government, drivers are legally per mitted continue operating during this period. "If a driver lodges an appeal against the licence suspension, they can also continue to operate legally until such time as the suspension appeal is deter mined by the magistrates, or until the appeal is withdrawn.

"West Somerset Council is legally bound to act within current legisla tion." She said the council had called an extraordinary meeting of its Licensing Committee tomorrow (Friday) to review the case.

The County Gazette attempted to speak to Mr Gunter but he did not return our call.
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