Scunthorpe taxi driver denied licence after putting customers at risk by forging documentshttps://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news ... ce-3718958Christine Vipurs' application to renew her Hackney Carriage/Private Hire drivers licence was refusedA Scunthorpe taxi driver's application to renew her licence was refused after she forged documents and put passengers at risk.
Christine Vipurs' bid to renew her Hackney Carriage/Private Hire drivers licence was turned down by North Lincolnshire Council's licensing sub-committee last year after she submitted a supporting document that had been illegally doctored.
Now, Grimsby Crown Court has upheld the decision of the licensing authority to refuse the renewal of the licence following an appeal.
The council said after considering all of the evidence, the sub-committee considered the applicant to 'not be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence' and refused the applicatiion on February 26.
A statement released by the authority said the document related to the testing of Mrs Vipurs' lifting equipment which helps disabled passengers get into and out of her taxi.
Legislation requires that passenger lifts are thoroughly examined every six months, warning that "failures in passenger lifts can result in significant or fatal injuries".
Mrs Vipurs' altered document suggested that the inspection of her equipment was valid for 18 months, rather than the statutory six months, and it bore the same reference number as the supporting documents from her licence renewal the year before.
Councillor Keith Vickers, chair of the licensing sub-committee said: "It was clear that the document Mrs Vipurs submitted for her application had been tampered with.
"It is worrying that someone would feel it necessary to avoid such checks when they are necessary to keep the public safe. Forging the document in this way put vulnerable people in North Lincolnshire at risk, and so her licence renewal was refused.
"It is our duty to ensure that the public are safe when they travel in licensed taxis in North Lincolnshire."
Mrs Vipurs appealed the council's decision at Grimsby Magistrates Court, where the court upheld the decision.
A further appeal was then lodged by Mrs Vipurs to Grimsby Crown Court, where again the council's decision was upheld.
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