Taxi Driver Online

Man refused taxi licence after trying to hire prostitutes

A MAN was refused a taxi licence after it was revealed he had been cautioned by police for trying to hire a prostitute. The applicant was before Bolton Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee last week to ask for a licence to drive a private hire vehicle. The committee decided to refuse the application because of a ‘pattern of behaviour’ relating to attempts to solicit a prostitute that they thought made him not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

Councillors heard that the applicant, who cannot be named, had received a caution for soliciting someone for the purposes of obtaining their sexual services as a prostitute in a street or public place in March, 2011. The man also received a warning about trying to hire a prostitute in 2008.

Minutes of the meeting state: “The sub-committee was concerned that the applicant had a pattern of behaviour relating to this type of conduct. The 2008 incident was not declared by the applicant.” The sub-committee found that the driver is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence. It found that drivers are placed in a position of trust and have a duty to conduct themselves in a lawful and professional manner at all times.

Bolton Council’s statement of fitness and suitability indicates that if a person has a conviction or an offence related to sexual offences such as soliciting, importuning, indecent exposure or other similar offences and it was committed less than then an application is normally refused. The minutes state that the applicant did not provide evidence to justify overturning this presumption and he would be working in an unsupervised environment.

The sub-committee’s primary duty of concern is for the safety and well-being of the public and found reasonable cause to refuse to grant the licence. The minutes state: “Members of the public and in particular, the elderly, infirm and children or vulnerable adults entrust their personal safety and wellbeing to private hire drivers whenever they take a journey. “Passengers often travel alone and are vulnerable to inappropriate behaviour.”

The man and his wife both attended the meeting and gave verbal evidence.

Another applicant also went before the sub-committee to renew his licence. It was set to be heard because of a ‘misconduct matter’ and the applicant attended the meeting but asked the matter to be referred because his solicitor was not available. The sub-committee heard evidence from the licensing officer and the matter was deferred until a future meeting.

_________________
IDFIMH

Prostitution is legal yet using a prostitute isn't
Bit like saying it's ok for pubs to sell beer but an offence to buy it.

If you say so, never used one, but I’m sure they are cheaper than having a wife.

Pubs can sell beer but it's an offence to drink it if you're a cab driver on duty or about to go on duty.

Wondered about that - a caution and a warning for what doesn't seem very much, and he's refused a licence. I mean, considering the litany of crimes of some who have actually been granted licences...

Suspect it's some kind of kerb-crawling or similar offence that he's been warned/cautioned about. I think the law has been tightened up in this regard, to discourage street prostitution - for political reasons the law and enforcement seems to have shifted in recent years so that street prostitutes aren't prosecuted, but their clients are.

Which in turn is maybe reflected in the attitudes of the committee members here, and perhaps underlines the dangers of councillors politicking.

Of course, at the other extreme there was the blind eye turned to what was going on in Rotherham. And indeed this particular case may be a reaction to what happened there, although some would argue it's an overreaction.

MANY LORDS MP'S BANKERS AND POLITICIANS ARE GUILTY OF THIS MALARKY I DONT SEE THEM BEING DECLARED UNFIT

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

What people don't realise is that a police caution stays on your record for all time, it doesn't go away like chargeable offences after 5 years. NEVER accept a caution, you may live to regret it.

A caution is the lazy way of getting a "result" for the plod, they don't have enough evidence to make a charge stick, so you get a caution. If ever I were in that situation I'd refuse the caution and rosk taking it to court. the chances are no further charges would be proffered as they know they'd lose.

Correct seen many burkes accept Cautions and then lose their licences ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if yer that stoopid who cares not me

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

well perhaps they should if a caution on your DBS is enough to get you barred from holding a license then the same should apply to someone who holds public office

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

Of course Geoffrey Archer for one

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE