FIT AND PROPER
TUNBRIDGE WELLS TAXI DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AFTER PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS
A Tunbridge Wells taxi driver has exhausted all avenues of appeal after a judge at Maidstone Crown Court upheld the borough council's decision to revoke his taxi/private hire licence. The ruling, delivered on April 9, 2025, follows an initial revocation in May 2023 due to what the
Tunbridge Wells BC described as “serious public safety concerns.” The driver had previously failed to overturn the council's decision at Medway
Magistrates’ Court in
2024. This latest ruling not only affirms the revocation but also awards costs to the council. Gary Stevenson, Head of Housing,
Health & Environment at Tunbridge Wells BC, emphasised the council's commitment to passenger safety, stating: “This was a lengthy case but it was important that the council defended the decision to revoke the licence. We will always put public safety first.”
“BIG MISTAKE” COSTS PH DRIVER £1,760 AFTER ILLEGAL BOLTON WANDERERS STADIUM PICK UP
A private hire driver has been ordered to pay £1,760 after admitting to an illegal pickup outside Bolton Wanderers’ Toughsheet Stadium. The driver, licensed by Salford City Council, faced charges of overcharging a woman and her
three friends following a concert in June 2023. He had also agreed to the journey without a pre- booking. The driver, from Bolton, admitted to the offence during an interview, expressing remorse and calling his actions a “big mistake” and saying
he was “very sorry.” Appearing before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court,
he
pleaded guilty to illegally plying for hire. The court ordered the driver to pay £1,200 to Salford City Council, a £400 fine, and a £160 surcharge.
FINE AND POINTS FOR NORTH LINCS DRIVER WHO MADE 543 UNLICENSED TRIPS
An unlicensed taxi driver has been fined and points added to his driver’s
licence, following an
investigation by North Lincolnshire Council licensing officers. Abdul Musaher, 35, from Scun- thorpe, pleaded guilty at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on 18 March 2025 to driving a licensed ‘taxi’ vehicle after his licence had been revoked. The investigation began after officers were contacted by South Yorkshire Police for help identifying the driver of a vehicle which had triggered a speed camera on the M1. Mr Musaher was
62
named by the vehicle’s owner, but he named another person as the driver in order to avoid points being added to his licence. Mr Musaher had been licensed by the council as a PH driver, but his licence was revoked in 2021 after it was revealed he was being investigated by police. Licensing officers attended the office of Mr Musaher’s employer, Ashby Cars Ltd, where evidence was seized confirming that he had carried out 543 journeys after his licence was revoked, an offence under the LGMPA 1976. Each of these journeys would also have
been uninsured, which is a separate offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988. In court, Mr Musaher admitted carrying out all 543 journeys and also lying to police. He was ordered to pay a £1,557 fine and his licence was endorsed with eight points. This took him to 17 points, however, the court resolved that he could continue to drive due to family circumstances. Separate action was taken against Ashby Cars Ltd. Its private hire operator’s licence was revoked, along with all vehicle licences held by the company.
MAY 2025 PHTM
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