Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver in Bolton suspended after allegations heard that he was ‘carrying a hammer’

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/19 ... ng-hammer/

A TAXI driver in Bolton has been suspended after allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ and that he was ‘carrying a hammer’.

The unidentified man was the subject of a licence review by a panel from Bolton Council which heard details of alleged misconduct in relation to him being a driver licensed to drive private hire vehicles.

The panel heard that the driver had received a caution for a public order offence, which by law he needed to disclose to the council due to his job as a cabbie.

Minutes of the meeting, which was attended by the driver and not held in public, were published last week.

They included allegations of assault on a woman and the man in question hammering a wall in frustration for up to 20 minutes.

A council report of the meeting stated: “There was a complaint from a member of the public about the inappropriate behaviour of the driver and that he was carrying a hammer.

“The driver admitted losing patience and hammering on the wall but denied this was for 20 minutes and denied hitting the lady.”

It is not thought the driver was at work as a taxi driver when the alleged incident occurred.

After hearing evidence about the matter from the driver and Bolton Council’s director of place, Gerry Brough, who presented details of the alleged misconduct, the panel decided to suspend the driver’s licence.

They said: “The licence to drive a private hire vehicle be suspended for a period of seven weeks on the basis that the committee are not satisfied that the driver is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

“Following consideration of all the evidence, the committee noted the complaints and the driver admitted losing patience.

“Drivers are in a position of trust and have a duty to conduct themselves in a lawful and professional manner at all times.

“Members of the public, the elderly, infirm and children or vulnerable adults entrust their personal safety and wellbeing to private hire drivers whenever they take a journey.

“Passengers often travel alone and are vulnerable to inappropriate behaviour.

“The committee’s primary duty is of concern for the safety and wellbeing of the public.

“There is therefore reasonable cause to suspend the private hire licence.”

What a bizarre case - the committee suspended him on the basis of the evidence, even though they didn't even know if he was working at the time?

If the committee thought he really did assault the woman and hammered a wall for 20 minutes, then shouldn't he have been revoked?

Seems to me they only partially believed the claims, so they gave him a short suspension. Surely they should have either revoked him or done nothing?

so he accepted a caution instead of facing trial

If I was on a council committee I would take that as evidence of guilt

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Evidence of guilt regarding what? That he assaulted a woman? And only got a seven week suspension, which is little more than a slap on the wrist?

It's not even clear if the public order caution was with regard to the hammer and assault allegation incident, or whether it was something else.

The report says the driver only admitted to losing his temper, and hitting the wall with a hammer for a short period, and not 20 minutes.

So I'm guessing the committee suspended him on the basis of not disclosing the public order offence, and for losing his temper.

But they didn't believe the assault allegation, presumably, or he would have gotten more than a seven-week suspension, surely?

But in 50 days time he will be just fine and dandy.

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