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https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/single-post/2018/08/22/Cabbie-stripped-of-his-dual-licenses-after-complaint-from-16-year-old-girl


Regional News
Cabbie stripped of his dual licenses after complaint from 16 year old girl
August 22, 2018



A cabbie from Powys has had both his taxi licence and private hire licence revoked after an allegation of inappropriate behaviour toward a sixteen year old girl.

The unamed cabbies fate was sealed at a meeting of the taxi licensing and sub committee at Neaudd Maldwyn in Welshpool, which was also attended by the children’s manager for north Powys.

According to the minutes taken by the licensing committee the following was said:

“The Children’s Manager for north Powys attended the meeting and explained that the disclosure of inappropriate behavior was made by a vulnerable 16 year old to her case work support officers.”

“The Licensing Officer explained that MREs (Driver) licence had been suspended based on allegations concerning the above matter and previous convictions. The Licensing Officer referred to the recommendations in a Safeguarding Report of a Professional Strategy Meeting held on the 13th April 2018. The Sub-Committee also considered written representations from the MRE (driver) and three references supplied by him.”

The decision was made after an assessment of both the incident and the cabbies previous convictions.

It was decided that the cabbie was not a fit and proper person to hold a license.

The driver has the right of appeal against the decision, although no appeal has been lodged as yet.

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

Do you take a chance on a driver?

Do you take the evidence from a vulnerable child as credible?

Should this be a police matter first?

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IDFIMH

It doesn't clarify if the revocation was immediate using section 52 or if, having an appeal in place the Driver can continue to work.

You have to consider, if as a Committee Member, you can allow a Driver to continue to work. But if the Driver hasn't been charged by the Police then they are only taking the hearsay testimony from a (troubled) vulnerable child and acting on it alone. I will agree with Sussex now, that a CCTV could have headed this off at the pass, or sealed the Drivers fate.

Personally I don't generally like the powers now available under S52, but in Plymouth it doesn't exist. Part of me thinks there is need for for immediate suspension in some cases. I would still prefer that Magistrates and not LA's had the facility. It should be a Police matter and an appearance in the Court to ask for a bail condition preventing an accused Driver driving a Licensed Vehicle. If the Magistrates are not convinced of the veracity, the application will fail.

The vulnerable must be protected, but sometimes the vulnerable is the Taxi or Private hire Driver.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

I'm not sure the bail issue is as good as it seems.

Firstly it could take a while to get to a first hearing, and in that time the driver could still be working. The police could add it to their bail, but more often than not the police will release on unconditional bail to allow them to investigate further.

In short these things take time to investigate and come to court, time the driver will be able to carry on working. Now clearly there are those who say a person is innocent until proven otherwise and should be allowed to carry on earning a living.

Another issue in respect of the bail proposal is that should the charges be withdrawn, or the driver pleas guilty to a lesser offence, (both regular outcomes) then the driver will be able to go back to work the same day.

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IDFIMH

You make good points Sussex, I want the Public protected, I want Drivers protected too.

Section 52 does get abused, 28 drivers were given 1 month "Immediate" suspension for over ranking - can't remember where it was, Melton Mowberry or Saffron Waldon? It certainly had a double barrelled name. Drivers could appeal but until the suspension stood until the appeal was heard. If any had appealed it would gone way past the the end of the suspension before the hearing.

If the Police or LA want an immediate suspension a Bench should convene and without pre-hearing the actual case the Bench should set Bail conditions. If it's important enough to take away somebody's living it's important enough to get a District Judge or a Bench to set Bail.

If it is even more important then the accused should be remanded in custody, won't be driving anything then!

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Sadly current laws don't allow for that, and the barriers to a remand in custody are incredible high.

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IDFIMH

You have to ask.....would you let him drive your 16 year old around..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related