Taxi driver's appeal succeeds
A TAXI driver convicted of two motoring offences has been granted a licence to operate in St Albans in defiance of the council's wishes.
A licence application by Idris Siddique, of Wexham Close, Luton, was dismissed by the council in December last year after a Criminal Records Bureau check revealed convictions for deception and driving without insurance dating back to 2002.
That decision was upheld by the council's now defunct in-house appeals panel in February.
When the appeal eventually reached St Albans Magistrates Court earlier this month, the decision was overturned. Magistrates ruled that "on the balance of probabilities" Mr Siddique was now a fit and proper person and granted a licence.
The ruling has frustrated officers at St Albans City and District Council who say it is their job to protect the public.
Senior licensing officer Karren Hollands said: "Having proper insurance is a really important part of operating a taxi.
"If a driver with no insurance had an accident and a passenger was seriously injured, that could have very serious implications for them and their family.
"In this case, as the appeal took so long to get to court and the offences were from 2002, the magistrates saw fit to grant the application even though the council had twice decided otherwise."
Mrs Hollands insisted, however, that the public could have full confidence in the city's licenced drivers.
She added: "We are trying to protect the public who travel in taxis. Most of our drivers are fit and proper people who abide by the law. However, there is a small minority with a dubious past.
"At Christmas time in particular, when people are going out and enjoying themselves, they are more vulnerable - but we are working on their behalf to make sure they get home safely.
"I would urge people to check the vehicle they are getting into is a licensed taxi - it will have a plate to indicate this."
In recent months the district council has been successful in blocking a further two applications after drivers' criminal pasts were revealed.
The St Albans men, Mohammad Nisar Khan, of Dymoke Green, and Imraz Khan , of Howland Garth, were found to have a string of violent and drug related convictions and had their applications rejected - decisions later upheld by magistrates.
In response to the failure of Khan's legal representatives (Irfan Shah Solicitors) to turn up to his appeal hearing, the court demanded that £500 in costs be paid to the council.
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