lost license appeal LEICESTER againA Labour councillor was accused of ‘sitting outside a swimming pool in his pants’ as he lost an appeal after being refused of a taxi licence.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council denied an application made by Gurpal Atwal in late 2016 and this decision was backed by magistrates in Loughborough yesterday.
This was after a committee in January 2017 decided he was “not fit and proper” to undertake the position of a cab driver.
The body rejected the private hire and Hackney carriage licence application despite Mr Atwal passing a DBS check and other relevant driving checks.
Outlining the council’s position, its legal representative Dave Gill said: “In essence there were a number of allegations.
“From 2015 there were a consistent number of complaints. No charges, but alleged offences and contact with police.
“The council’s single sole duty is to protect the public.”
Following his statement the officer from the council who led the committee’s enquiries took to the stand.
Licensing Enforcement Officer for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Tracey Aldwinckle, 49, explained the statements she had gathered – from which varying accusations emerged.
While being questioned by Mr Atwal’s defence, she said: “I was told your client is using unlicensed drivers on school runs and then he sat in his pants outside a swimming pool because he believes that’s acceptable.”
As well as this a raft of further alleged misdemeanours were stated to the court – most of which had stemmed from 2015 up until now.
There were also claims of racism and an allegation Mr Atwal “swore at” a man.
However he said that when this was followed up officers chose to take no further action.
Mr Atwal’s defence solicitor Anthony Schiller said there was “no indication” from any member of the travelling public of aggressive or racist behaviour.
He also described how his client has worked for over 20 years as a taxi driver in Leicester.
He stated that the majority of witnesses spoken to by Ms Aldwinckle had connections to Mr Atwal’s former business partner.Mr Atwal owned a fifty-per-cent stake in Handsome Cars in Leicester and is taking his former business partner to high court in regards to a sum of around £300,000.Mr Atwal still has a taxi licence in Leicester
Addressing magistrates Mr Schiller said: “We know there are links to people you have not seen today.
“It’s often said a business dispute can be worse than a divorce.
“You have to use the mythical scales of justice to make the decision.”
Mr Atwal also denied the accusations in court – stating they were “all fabricated”.
When questioned in front of magistrates Mr Atwal said: “I am not a racist person. I treat everybody fairly.
“They [the statements] were all fabricated to discredit my character.”
In regards to the business dispute Mr Gill commented that it was believed Mr Atwal had involved “heavies” when things did not go his way.
Mr Atwal did not comment following the hearing.
As well as not being granted a licence Mr Atwal was also charged £1,250 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing Bill Boulter, 70, who chaired the Oadby and Wigston Borough Council licensing panel which made the original decision said he was “very pleased”.
Mr Atwal currently holds a licence allowing him to drive cabs in Leicester until 2018.
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