Taxi Driver Online

St Albans District Council refuses licence application



A CONVICTED thief has failed in his bid to apply for a taxi driver's licence from St Albans District Council.

Shezhad Ali Hussain holds three convictions for theft and applied to the council for a licence to be a private driver in October 2008.

However the district council's policy is to only accept applications from people who it describes as “honest” and “trustworthy”, because taxi drivers are in a position of trust.

Because of Mr Hussain's past, his application was refused on the grounds that he was not considered to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

He appealed against the decision and during a hearing held at St Albans Magistrates Court last week the senior licensing officer for the council argued that the three convictions for theft in 2002 were serious enough to justify its decision for refusal.

She said they had involved a breach of trust as Mr Hussain, of The Ridgeway, St Albans, had been an employee at the shop where he committed the thefts.

The magistrate dismissed the appeal and awarded the district council £750 in costs.

Councillor Anthony Rowlands, cabinet member for community engagement and support, said: “The council's policy is clear – taxi drivers are in a position of trust and must be honest and trustworthy. The public must feel safe when they are travelling in a private hire vehicle.”

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

Nice to see a council stand it's ground when it comes to 'fit & proper'. If you can't be trusted then you shouldn't be a taxi driver

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