Taxi Driver Online

Hi, earlier in January this year i was stopped by customs at East Midlands Airport with EXCESS rollling tobacco in my HAND luggage. I did not truly realise the severity of what i had done. I had not even been on a flight or out of the country since the previous July. I HAD NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH POLICE OR ANYONE ELSE BEFORE.

I appeared at Loughborough Magistrates Court in May and was charged with Fraudulently evade any duty/prohibition/restriction/provision
in relation to Hand Rolling Tobacco - knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of any duty chargeable on the goods CONTRARY TO SECTION 170(2) AND (3) OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE MANAGEMENT ACT 1979.

I received 50 hours community service and a £1,400 fine.

I am mentally scarred by the whole experience and now it is causing me so many problems in trying to get on with my working life and trying to provide a much needed income for my family.

I am 37 years old, married and have a 3 year old daughter.

2 weeks ago i applied for my Hackney Carriage Licence through Nuneaton Council.

What are my chances of obtaining this licence? Will i get the chance to go before a committee and show them the case notes and the true law obiding citizen i really am. I AM NO CRIMINAL i made a mistake through very rough financial times. It was not drugs, i did not phsically hurt anyone.

A Taxi company in Nuneaton are willing to take me on - They know me personally and want me to get on with my life. Obviously, other people will see this in a different way

I am deperate to get on and try and earn a living.

Can anyone give me any words of wisdom or advice? How long would you say it will be until i hear from the Council? I know it is likely to be knocked back like every other job i apply for !

Many thanks for listening to my story.

Best regards

Pete, Nuneaton

It all depends on the committee's decision on the day mate.

Given that the "limits" (cough) as applied by HMRC are 3kg of HRT per adult how much were you carrying, how many adults were in your group and do you smoke?

it would be extreme for Customs to take court action against an irregular traveller who had not been stopped and warned before, nor give you the chance to dump the stuff and walk away.

You are assuming that the flight originated within the EU. If it was from outside the EU, the duty free allowance is 250 grams.
From the first post it would seem that either the chap has admitted that he intended to sell the stuff or that he was found guilty of intending to sell it.

_________________
Grandad,

50 hours community service and a £1,400 fine seem well over the top for an innocent mistake, unless, as you say, it was from (say) gran canaria (january sunshine?)

he may have an uphill struglle to get a badge with a recent conviction

the main offences that cause problems are theft, fraud and violence.

I would anticipate that the L.O. will 'disregard' these offences. Although, as they are so recent, they may want to interview you about them first..

Good luck.

Fraud appears in the charge/conviction.

I would ask your local council to send you their policy on convictions, and how long, post conviction, offenders need to wait until an application will be considered.

If I was to guess I would say you might struggle now, but in a year or two things will be different.

That said, if it's goes to committee anything can happen if you come across as showing remorse and regret, and get loads of good references.

_________________
IDFIMH