Six-week Suspension 'brilliant', says Cab Driver
4th September 2008
A cabbie who carried on driving after a ban has narrowly avoided losing his hackney carriage licence.
Darren Willmer’s licence was suspended for three months in April, after the council learned he had been convicted of driving without insurance and fined £150, with £35 costs and three penalty points.
He already had six points for speeding and driving with a defective tyre.
Councillors on the licensing committee were told yesterday that in July the council discovered Mr Willmer had carried on driving even though he should have handed in his licence at the end of April.
They gave him a six-week suspension on top of the three months, which he must now serve.
"Members were minded to revoke your licence but considered that this would not be proportionate, because there were no other complaints about your behaviour,” Mr Willmer was told.
Jill Dolan (Con, Stoke) the committee chair, said: “You appear to have no regard for this committee."
“If you come before us again for any other reason you will be treated very seriously.”
Mr Willmer told the councillors: “I knew I had the ban in April and I didn’t carry on driving on purpose. I just didn’t take it all in."
“I thought I would be contacted again by the council.”
However, licensing officer Mark Small said Mr Willmer had been told of his ban and been sent a letter confirming the details.
Mr Willmer admitted having received the letter.
Mr Small told him: “You seem to hold the council in complete disregard”, and told members: “He seems to be a maverick who thinks he can do as he pleases.”
Tom Browne (Con, Southway) said: “You have a catalogue of offences. It appears you didn’t take any notice of your suspension.”
Mrs Dolan said: “You come to this committee and say you are sorry, but it doesn’t teach you anything.”
Mr Willmer told councillors that he had split up with his wife and was trying to get back together with her. He was living with his parents in Devonport.
Eddie Rennie (Lab, Sutton and Mount Gould) said: “You told us exactly the same things before, and the time before that."
“You must have had the longest separation and getting back together in history."
“You’re always making mistakes”, he said. “I’m beginning to wonder if you are a fit and proper person to drive a taxi.”
In 2003, while a probationary cabbie, Mr Willmer was banned for 18 months for drink-driving.
When the ban expired in April 2005 members agreed to give him a second chance, but a month later he received three points for speeding, and the licensing department subsequently discovered he had driven with a defective tyre and without insurance.
Gerrard Cormack, who rented a taxi to Mr Willmer, said: “He has always been on time with his rent and kept the vehicle clean.”
Afterwards Mr Willmer said his suspension was ‘brilliant. I thought I would lose my licence for sure.’
Source; thisisplymouth.co.uk; The Plymouth Herald
Login
Register
FAQ
