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PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:21 pm 
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license revoked :roll:

he "irresponsible" owner of a private-hire taxi firm has been stripped of his licence for failing to protect the public.

East Riding Council spent months collecting evidence against Ian Sharp, owner of Q Cars based in Havelock Street, Bridlington.

Concerns included four complaints made by customers who had used vehicles dispatched by Mr Sharp's company. Two of the complaints related to potential public safety matters involving young women, although details have not been divulged.

Mr Sharp had his operator's licence, which he had held since December 2014, revoked by the local authority in February, but was allowed to continue operating, pending the outcome of an appeal that concluded at Hull Magistrates' Court on Friday.

However, on being told by the chairman of the magistrates' bench that the evidence against him appeared to be "overwhelming", Mr Sharp instructed his counsel to withdraw the appeal.

After the hearing, Tina Holtby, interim manager of the council's public protection group, said it was only the second time in ten years that the authority had revoked a private-hire operator's licence.

She said: "We are delighted that the magistrates recognised all the hard work and overwhelming evidence provided to support the decision in February to revoke this licence.

"However, it is disappointing that Mr Sharp, in this full knowledge, allowed the situation to carry on and continue operating for a further eight months.

"The decision to revoke the licence of the biggest private hire operator in Bridlington was not taken lightly but with the ultimate aim of protecting the public from the actions of an irresponsible operator.

"The council will deal with any breach of law, licensing policy or risks to safeguarding or public safety from licensed operators or drivers in a robust manner."

In January, licensing inspectors found incomplete records relating to bookings and drivers. There was also no public or employers' liability insurance in place.

In March 2016, East Riding Council handed Mr Sharp a formal warning over concerns about his overall conduct in running a licensed private-hire business.

Before Mr Sharp's decision to withdraw his appeal, Graham Townsley, chairman of the bench, said: "We think it is only right and proper that we give the court an indication of our thoughts.

"Having read all of the documents from the appellant and the local authority, we think the evidence, particularly from the investigating officers, is overwhelming.

"Mr Sharp, you need to be able to show there has been substantial change, which is fully supported by documentation."

Anyone who has bookings with Q Cars is advised to contact other private-hire companies in the area.

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PostPosted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:34 am 
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Does beg the question as to why he wasn't advised that at an early stage by his legal representative.

Or maybe he was but choose to ignore it.

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