Taxi Driver Online

The Northern Echo

September 29, 2008

TAXI DRIVER INVESTIGATED AFTER CLAIMS BY CABBIES

A TAXI driver is being investigated after claims he put customers at risk by driving without a licence.

Robert Fishwick, of Darlington, denies operating illegally following allegations he has been taking fares without a taxi licence.

Mr Fishwick had worked as a taxi driver in Darlington until 2004, when his licence was revoked by Darlington Borough Council following a drink-driving conviction. The court handed him a three-year driving ban.


Since the completion of his ban, a number of local taxi drivers said they had seen Mr Fishwick driving a taxi licensed in Berwick, Northumberland. Concerned that he might be flouting the regulations, the drivers approached The Northern Echo.

Berwick Borough Council said Mr Fishwick was not licensed with it, as did Darlington council.

Licensing of taxi drivers aims to ensure drivers are fit and able to drive.

A criminal record check is part of the procedure. Driving without a licence invalidates the car?s insurance and, therefore, puts all road users at risk.

Mr Fishwick told The Northern Echo: ?I have not even been driving. I have got nothing to say to you. ? A spokeswoman for Darlington council said an investigation had begun.

She said: ?If an unlicensed driver was caught, they could be fined up to (GBP) 1,000. It is a criminal offence to drive a taxi without the correct licence. ? A Darlington taxi driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, said of the allegation: ?This was potentially very harmful. If there was a crash, there would have been nobody liable. ?

A spokeswoman for Berwick council said the authority had identified the vehicle allegedly involved.

She said: ?The owner of the vehicle has since indicated that they are to surrender the plate because they no longer have a Berwick licensed driver to drive the vehicle.

?If anyone who has seen a Berwick licensed hackney carriage being driven by an unlicensed driver wishes to come forward to give evidence in a criminal prosecution, we will be very pleased to hear from them. ?

Anyone with information is asked to call the council on 01289-330044.
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Regards

JD

Looks like Berwick can't even keep an eye on their local trade.

Let alone the rest of their cabs plying throughout the land.

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IDFIMH

Berwicks fast becoming the most Easterly Wild West town in Britain.........YEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!, RIDE EM COWBOYS!!!...

Just how big an area does berwick council cover ? I thought darlington was south of Newcastle or is it just that all North East cabbies are licensed there ?