Taxi Driver Online

Birmingham PH with criminal record allowed to keep job


MAGISTRATES have ruled that a Birmingham man with a history of drug-taking, harrassment, motoring offences and a conviction for possession of an offensive weapon is fit to drive a cab.

The bizarre appeal ruling has been slammed by city licensing chiefs who had earlier refused his private hire driver application because of his criminal record.

But magistrates overturned the decision by the City Council licensing committee to refuse driver Irfan Khalid, of Ralph Road, Saltley, because they said his references had not been properly considered and that he needed a second chance.

But licensing committee vice-chairman Coun Bruce Lines (Cons, Bartley Green) said: “I’m gobsmacked at this decision.

“What kind of message does it send out about cab drivers in Birmingham?

‘‘It is not as if he has offences in one specific area, they are across the board, drugs, an offensive weapon, motoring.

‘‘How can this man be suitable?”

Chairman Coun David Osborn (Lib Dem, South Yardley) agreed and said: “It is unbelievable.

‘‘I would suggest we appeal against this, but I am told we have run out of time.”

The committee was told that magistrates viewed the driver as a reformed character and felt obliged to give him a chance under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Although the appeal was allowed, legal costs were not awarded against the City Council.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

If your officials checked his references then the court wouldn't have been able to use that reason, and the mush wouldn't have won his appeal.

i.e. your lot f***ed up, so sort them out.

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IDFIMH

got to agree....they cant even get the appeal right



CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

sounds like just the man for the late night passengers, whose gonna pull a knife on HIM?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Perhaps something a little more than 'Fit & Proper' should now be used for would be taxi drivers.

It's obvious that having a criminal record doesn't prevent you from being licenced and in some cases it shouldn't. Which brings me to my next point of what you think are acceptable crimes that could not prevent you from being licenced and what should prevent you from being licenced.

I hate the fact that they leave things so wide open to abuse. Wtf is 'fit & proper'

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I think the level or seriousness of any crime has got to be mitigated by how long ago they happened.

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IDFIMH

I was told recently that the rehabilitation act does not apply to taxi drivers
http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/rehabact.htm

I agree, but that shouldn't really effect any council decision. All it does is allow a council to make an informed one.

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IDFIMH

would all the council have to have said be we have considered the references but do not consider you fit and proper?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

FFS you are starting to read like Charlie boy now?

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IDFIMH

pmsl....I'll rephrase that;

would saying we have considered the references but do not consider you fit and proper have covered the council?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

That's cos he spends too much time arguing with him

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

as Jim said.....its like arguing with the village idiot

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Im glad its not a matter for an MP to decide who is fit and proper, what with house expense fiddles, pay to view porn, shagging in the house of commons, etc, etc, etc

fit and proper?

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

oh thats right, drag me into it

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most