Taxi Driver Online

Drivers with convictions for heroin possession, theft and deception granted Gloucester taxi licences


Motorists with as many as 12 previous convictions including heroin possession are being granted licences to drive taxis and private hire vehicles in the city, Gloucestershire Live can reveal.

But while many have had their licence taken away numerous drivers have been granted a stay of execution despite, in some cases, a litany of misdemeanors including drug possession and dangerous driving.

These include driving while uninsured, driving without a licence, driving while using a mobile phone and while under the influence of drugs.

The information has come to light due to a Freedom of Information request by Gloucestershire Live which has revealed the city's licensing committee's decisions on taxi drivers at disciplinary hearings.

Hearings where licences were granted

22.01.08 New PHD Licence Application: Conviction 2 Counts of Battery Licence Granted

14.10.08: New Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence Application: Four counts of obtaining property by deception; Possession of Controlled Drug – Class A – Cocaine; and Possession of Cannabis a Class C Controlled Drug. Licence Granted

2015: New PHD application Fail to notify change of circumstances affecting entitlement to benefit/other payment x2; Making a false statement or representation in order to obtain benefit or other payment x2 Licence granted

28.07.15: New PHD application Conviction possession of a class A drug Heroin & Being in a motor vehicle without the owner's consent Licence Granted

04.11.15 New PHD application Caution for Theft by employee and depositing controlled waste without an environmental permit Licence Granted

31.08.16 New PHD application 12 previous convictions, Using an uninsured vehicle, driving without a licence, using a mobile phone whilst driving, possession of class A and B drugs (cocaine & cannabis) obstruction of police, driving whilst under influence of drugs, failure to comply with 2x community orders Licence Granted

Lisa Jones, food, licensing and markets manager, said: "The city council issues points to taxi drivers for a range of breaches such as smoking in a vehicle or failing to display a licence badge.

"Each taxi application is considered on its own merits. When a hearing is needed a panel of councillors will refer to the council's guidelines for convictions whilst considering any supporting information submitted.

"Even if the convictions are spent, the matter may be referred to a 'Licensing Sub-Committee' for consideration.

"A decision is then made about whether the driver is considered to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence."

However, a litany of offences including drug possession, assault and fraud has seen taxi drivers have their licences revoked in Gloucester.

As a result of disciplinary meetings held by the city's licensing committee, nine have had their licence as hackney carriage drivers revoked in the last ten years.

A further 14 have had the licence suspended.

Incidents that have prompted the action include drivers being charged with possessing class A and C drugs, possessing a loaded weapon and assault.

Other charges include sex offences, child exploitation and even a kidnap charge.

Read more at http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/dr ... 0im7l1S.99

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

Thought that a conviction of any kind was not ever spent with regards to Taxi or private hire licensing,either I am wrong or Councils are being misled by Officers given advice.

there is always a point at which a conviction is spent and the article mentions 3 point driving offences amongst the more nasty stuff

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

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IDFIMH

Gloucester bad boys

They aren't spent according to our Council. They keep reminding me of the conviction I got 35 years ago for riding a motorbike across a road to get to a farmers field who we had permission off to ride our bikes on.

I always thought Taxi and Ph drivers had the the highest level of Crb/Dbs check but from what I can gather drivers on our firm who want to do school runs have to have a higher level check.

We all have the Enhanced checks or are supposed to have them.

Convictions may not be considered "spent" but each application is considered on it's own merits. Our own council suggest that being conviction free for 3 years is the starting point.

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Grandad,

I would consider asking the DBS to remove that.

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IDFIMH