Taxi Driver Online

The article doesn't say whether the police prosecuted the driver, or they reported him to the council due to the offence being timed out.

Ashford taxi driver loses bid to regain licence after using phone at the wheel while driving along M25

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/ne ... nd-341210/

A taxi driver has failed in his bid to regain his licence after being caught using a mobile phone while driving on the M25.

Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) decision to revoke Mehmet Kaygun’s permit to operate was upheld following an appeal hearing at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 3.

The court backed the local authorities’ position, stating public safety must remain the overriding consideration in taxi licensing decisions and dismissed Mr Kaygun’s appeal.

In November 2025, Surrey Police submitted a report to ABC concerning Mr Kaygun, who at the time held a private hire driver’s licence.

Officers observed him driving on the M25 while holding and using a phone for a prolonged period.

An electronic tablet inside the vehicle was also noted and was said to contribute to further distraction.

Evidence presented by police, including officers’ observations and dashcam footage, showed Mr Kaygun repeatedly looking away from the road while holding the phone in front of him as he travelled in live traffic conditions.

Following an investigation, ABC concluded the driver’s conduct raised serious concerns about public safety and determined that he no longer met the requirement to be considered a “fit and proper person” to hold a private hire driver’s licence.

His licence was subsequently revoked with immediate effect.

Mr Kaygun appealed the decision, with the case heard at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on June 3.

While magistrates acknowledged the personal impact the revocation would have on Mr Kaygun, they confirmed the decision had to be based solely on public safety considerations.

The court noted an individual’s personal circumstances or livelihood could not lawfully be taken into account when determining whether they were fit to hold a taxi licence.

In reaching its decision, the court considered ABC’s taxi licensing policy, relevant national guidance and statutory Department for Transport standards.

Magistrates placed themselves in the position of the licensing authority and concluded they were not satisfied that the council’s decision had been wrong.

The appeal was dismissed, and Mr Kaygun was ordered to pay £2,000 towards the council’s costs incurred in defending the case.

Cllr Katrina Giles (Green), cabinet member of communities and health, said: “Residents expect drivers of licensed vehicles to always operate safely.”

“The council has a clear duty to ensure that all licensed drivers meet the ‘fit and proper person’ test.

“This case demonstrates that we will act decisively where standards fall short, particularly where road safety is concerned.

“Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is both dangerous and unlawful, and it will not be tolerated within the licensed trade in Ashford.”

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IDFIMH

For what it's worth, Sussex, this is the official council news release

But doesn't shed any more light on your point - simply says that "Surrey Police submitted a report to the council’s Licensing Team."


Court upholds Ashford Borough Council's decision to revoke private hire driver's licence after mobile phone usage

https://www.ashford.gov.uk/news/latest- ... one-usage/

Ashford Borough Council has successfully defended its decision to revoke the licence of a private hire driver who was seen using a handheld mobile phone while driving on the M25. Folkestone Magistrates’ Court has dismissed an appeal, backing the council’s position that public safety must remain the overriding consideration in all taxi licensing decisions.

In November 2025, Surrey Police submitted a report to the council’s Licensing Team concerning Mr Mehmet Kaygun, who at the time held a private hire driver’s licence. He was observed driving on the M25 motorway while holding and using a mobile phone for a prolonged period. Officers also noted additional distraction from an electronic tablet device within the vehicle. Police evidence, including officer observations and dashcam footage, showed that the driver repeatedly looked away from the road whilst holding the device in front of him in live traffic conditions.

Following a full investigation and careful consideration of the evidence, the council determined that this conduct raised serious public safety concerns and that Mr Kaygun no longer met the requirement to be a “fit and proper person” to hold a private hire driver’s licence. His licence was therefore revoked with immediate effect.

Mr Kaygun exercised his legal right of appeal, and the matter was heard at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 3 June, with the council represented by its Legal Services team.

While the court acknowledged the personal impact of the licence revocation, it confirmed that the decision must be based solely on considerations of public safety and that matters relating to the individual’s personal circumstances or livelihood are not factors that can lawfully be taken into account in line with existing case law.

In considering the case, the court placed itself in the position of the licensing authority and, having regard to Ashford Borough Council’s Taxi Licensing Policy, relevant national guidance, and statutory Department for Transport standards, were not satisfied that the council’s decision was wrong.

The appeal was therefore dismissed, and Mr Kaygun was ordered to pay £2,000 towards the council’s costs in defending the appeal.

Councillor Katrina Giles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Health at Ashford Borough Council, said: “Residents expect drivers of licensed vehicles to always operate safely. The council has a clear duty to ensure that all licensed drivers meet the ‘fit and proper person’ test. This case demonstrates that we will act decisively where standards fall short, particularly where road safety is concerned. Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is both dangerous and unlawful, and it will not be tolerated within the licensed trade in Ashford.”