Taxi Driver Online

Licence for sex case taxi driver

A TAXI driver convicted of soliciting women for sex has been given a taxi licence by magistrates who have overturned St Albans District Council's decision to refuse his application.

Sadique Ali, aged 33, of Temple View in St Albans was refused a private hire licence by the district council last year because of his conviction under the Sexual Offences Act. But he successfully appealed against the decision in a hearing on Monday at St Albans Magistrates Court.

The bench, chaired by Dr Jan Skidmore, found him to be a person who was "fit and proper" to be given a taxi licence in St Albans and felt that enough time had elapsed since his conviction more than three years ago. But they agreed that the district council was correct to reject the application initially.

Home Office guidelines recommend that at least three to five years should pass after a conviction before a taxi licence is granted and Mr Ali originally applied before the minimum time frame. But he had been granted a licence from Three Rivers Council just a year after his conviction and since then has been working as a taxi driver, which often includes running students from St Albans to Cassio College in Watford.

The father-of-two has been employed with Abbots Village Cars over the past year and said that that had been causing him problems getting his children to and from school in St Albans.

But Karen Hollands, senior licensing officer for St Albans District Council, who has 10 years of experience in the sector, said that even if Mr Ali resubmitted an application at this stage she would be minded to refuse it.

She said: "He was convicted of a sexual offence and I have to take into consideration the public - that is my duty - and I would have concerns about lone female passengers."

But Nadeem Butt, defending, said Mr Ali had an "impeccable record" with Three Rivers Council and they had considered financial hardship when granting his licence - something Ms Hollands felt would conflict with her priority to protect the public.

Mr Butt added: "Although this is an offence, it is a minor offence - this is indicative of the punishment at court where he received a fine. He deserves this opportunity to work and to do his trade within his locality as opposed to somewhere else."

Once administration is completed by the district council Mr Ali will be free to operate as a taxi driver around the district.

_________________
IDFIMH

More evidence about the crazy differences between adjoining councils.

Thank the lord they all know best.

_________________
IDFIMH

At least he's had some good practice for touting

_________________
Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

You beat me to it.

_________________
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07K29Fc15U