Taxi Driver Online

15 Jan 2008

Taxi firm sent driver without licence on call

A TAXI firm was hauled before the courts for allowing a driver without a
proper licence to pick up children at a special needs school.

Paul Robinson, who worked as a desk clerk for the now-defunct company
Chariots for Hire Ltd, was sent to the Percy Hedley Centre, in Forest Hall,
on June 18 last year.

Mr Robinson did not have a private hire licence and his car also did not
have the correct private hire vehicle licence.

His manager knew this but still allowed him to carry out the job.

The 52-year-old, of George Square, North Shields, pleaded guilty to the
offences at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

The bench heard that he previously held a private hire licence, but it had
expired and was not renewed.

John Barton, prosecuting for North Tyneside Council, said: “The council is
responsible for legislation in terms of taxi licensing.

“It is designed to provide a degree of protection to the public. Drivers
have to prove they are medically fit and have to give details of any
criminal convictions. The council has to make sure vehicles are
mechanically fit.”

A licensing enforcement officer had spotted the car at the Percy Hedley
Centre and approached Mr Robinson. The driver admitted not having the
correct licence.

Mr Robinson, of previous good character, told the court he was sorry and
said he realised what he did was wrong.

Magistrates gave him a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him
to pay £100 costs.

No-one from Chariots for Hire Ltd attended court.

But the firm pleaded guilty by letter to knowingly allowing a driver to
undertake private hire work without the correct licence and for knowing
the vehicle was not licensed.

The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £200 costs.

A spokesman from North Tyneside Council said: “We take public safety
very seriously.

“Taxis and private hire vehicles and their drivers must be licensed to
safeguard the interests of the public and we are pleased that the courts
have taken a firm line in this case.

“We will continue to be vigilant on behalf of the public.”

Source: ChronicleLive

Methinks he had a result.

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IDFIMH