FIT AND PROPER
SUNDERLAND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER CONVICTED OF ILLEGALLY PLYING FOR HIRE HAS LICENCE REVOKED
A private hire driver from Sunderland has been convicted of driving without insurance and illegally plying for hire. The Sunderland Echo reports that Mahsum Sultan, 31, was interviewed by Sunderland City Council licensing offi- cers after a complaint from a member of the public who alleged overcharging during a journey and that the journey had not been booked in advance. Mr Sultan as a private hire driver committed the offence of ‘Plying for Hire’ and driving without insurance as his policy states that all journeys must be pre-booked.
He initially denied any wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on July 5. Mr Sultan received eight penalty points on his licence and was ordered to pay total fines and costs of £404. Newcastle City Council, where he was licensed, has now revoked his private hire driver’s licence. Cllr Jill Fletcher, chair of Sunderland City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee, said: “I am glad that our officers were able to take action against a driver flouting the law.
“We will take action against all taxi and private hire drivers who put the people of Sunderland at risk by driving without valid insurance, regardless of which local authority they hold a licence with. “The details of the complaint were raised with Newcastle City Council which licensed Mr Sultan at the time and we are pleased to hear that Mr Sultan has had his licence revoked. “This demonstrates the benefits of having strong working partnerships with our neighbouring councils and the desire and determination we share to quickly deal with rogue drivers.”
CABBIE GETS SIX POINTS AND £500 FINE AFTER DRIVING AT 78MPH NEAR GLASGOW AIRPORT
A part-time taxi driver has been slapped with six penalty points for careless driving. According to the Daily Record, James McNicol, 67, had dropped off the last fare of his shift on September 27, 2021, when he drove at 78mph in a tempo- rary 40mph zone on the M8 near to Glasgow Airport. Fiscal depute, John Penman told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Police officers were driving on the M8 approaching the slip road at Glasgow Airport. The speed limit was a temporary 40mph due to barrier repairs ahead and it was dark, it had been raining and there was surface water. “Police observed a white vehicle enter the motorway and continue to acceler- ate beyond 40mph to 78mph for 0.3miles and overtook one vehicle before police stopped the accused. “Officers main concern was the speed and condition at the time of the offence. Dashcam footage from the accused’s car was reviewed.” McNicol admitted a charge of careless driving. Defence solicitor, Kris Buchanan told the court McNicol had
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finished his last fare and was in a hurry to get home. He accepts his speed was not acceptable and he is apologetic and remorseful for his actions. “He has no previous convictions and is technically retired but works part-time as a taxi driver to supplement his income. His taxi licence is in the
process of being renewed which has been paused pending today’s outcome. Sentencing, Sheriff Tom McCartney fined McNicol, from Cambuslang, £500 and ordered this to be paid at £50 per month. In addition, he issued six penalty points reduced from eight to reflect McNicol’s early plea.
GAINSBOROUGH TAXI DRIVER HAS LICENCE REVOKED AFTER ‘ROAD RAGE’ INCIDENT
A taxi driver in Gainsborough has had his taxi licence revoked following a complaint received from a member of the public. The Lincolnite reports that West Lindsey District Council’s Regula- tory sub-committee made the decision to revoke his taxi licence following a hearing on Thursday 21 July 2022 After hearing all the evidence, the committee determined that the driver, due to his behaviour, could no longer be considered a fit and proper person to hold a taxi licence. Kim Enderby, Senior Licensing Officer for the council, said: “We were contacted
by a member of public who reported being in a ‘road rage’ type incident involving a vehicle displaying a West Lindsey taxi licence plate. “A dashcam on the car driven by the witness had captured the whole incident. We immediately began an investigation, interviewed the taxi driv- er and assessed all available evidence. “We believed that the way in which he had behaved fell far short of what is expected by the council. This decision sends a clear message that poor behaviour by anyone licensed by West Lindsey DC will not be accepted.”
AUGUST 2022
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