Bradford taxi driver stripped of licence after incident on M1 near Sheffieldhttps://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics ... rd-5414206A taxi driver was stripped of his licence after falsely claiming his wife was driving his vehicle when it was caught speeding on the M1 near Sheffield.
This was despite his wife having neither a taxi licence nor a driving licence.
Gebrebrahan Nayzgi was a registered private hire driver in Bradford when his cab was recorded speeding on the M1 near Sheffield on May 26.
When contacted about the traffic offence, Nayzgi, of Lincoln Green, Leeds, told police that his wife was driving the vehicle at the time in a bid to avoid the penalty points.
But his deception was uncovered after police further investigated, and Nayzgi eventually admitted to being the one driving the private hire vehicle at the time.
He was stripped of his licence by Bradford Council after taxi licensing officers felt the incident showed he was not a “fit and proper person” to hold a licence.
But Nayzgi is now appealing this decision – arguing he is in fact a fit and proper person.
His appeal will be heard in the New Year, but details of the case were revealed at a hearing in Bradford Magistrates Court on Friday.
Waseem Raja, who will be defending the Council’s decision in the appeal, gave Magistrates the background at a brief hearing.
He said: “His vehicle activated a speed camera on the M1 Southbound near Sheffield. As a result of this offence South Yorkshire Police sent out a section 172 notice to Nayzgi.
“He wrote back to police and named his wife as the driver.
“Further checks revealed that his wife has neither a taxi licence or a driver’s licence, and he was asked to re-consider his nomination.
“It was only when he was interviewed that he admitted naming the wrong person. He said he was afraid of getting six points on his licence.
“This calls into question his fitness to hold a licence.”
Patrick Bernard, who will be representing Nayzgi in the appeal, said: “He accepts he gave false information. It is a case of deciding whether he is still a fit and proper person.”
Magistrates heard that he has previous road traffic offence convictions, but no criminal record.
When asked if there were any further legal actions upcoming against Nayzgi for lying to police, Mr Raja said: “South Yorkshire Police are not progressing the matter any further.
“Some police forces take the matter quite seriously and would prosecute, but some don’t.”
His appeal will take place on January 16.