Fareham taxi driver can carry on working - despite losing a previous licence over sexual contact with a vulnerable passenger
The driver has been driving in Fareham for seven years, despite being stripped of his Havant licence
A taxi driver has been allowed to continue working despite previously losing a licence over sexual contact with a vulnerable passenger.
Fareham Borough Council’s licensing panel decided to take no action against the private hire driver, referred to as Mr S, following a hearing on October 13.
A second driver, Mr E, was also granted a licence despite being unable to provide a certificate of good conduct from Afghanistan.
The panel heard Mr S had previously held a licence with Havant Borough Council, which was suspended and revoked following behaviour that included sexual contact with a vulnerable passenger.
He had failed to declare the previous licence and its suspension and revocation when applying to Fareham.
However, Mr S told councillors he had disclosed an allegation of sexual assault when he applied in 2019 and said he had not tried to hide his previous licence.
He said he could not remember completing the application form seven years ago but believed he may have misread or misunderstood the question.
Mr S expressed regret over the behaviour which led to his previous licence being revoked, describing it as a mistake which “should not have happened”.
He told the panel the contact was consensual but acknowledged he should not have allowed it to happen.
Councillors heard he had driven for Fareham since 2019 without any concerns or complaints. The panel said the available evidence did not show his behaviour was “predatory or repeated”.
However, councillors warned Mr S to provide accurate and timely information in future and said any further concerns about his behaviour towards passengers would be taken into account.
The panel ruled he remained a “fit and proper person” to hold a licence and decided no action should be taken.
At the same meeting, councillors considered Mr E’s application after he was unable to obtain a certificate of good conduct from Afghanistan.
Mr E told the panel he had fled the country for political reasons, claimed asylum in the UK and was unable to obtain the certificate.
Councillors said he had lived in the UK since 2014, having arrived aged under 18, and had no records on his DBS or DVLA licence.
They found there were exceptional reasons to depart from council policy and approved his private hire driver’s licence.