Taxi Driver Online

An Eastwood taxi driver has failed to win back his licence after overcharging a blind woman.

Magistrates heard that 25-year-old Matthew Wood had been in trouble before the incident.

Amber Valley Borough Council refused him a hackney carriage licence but he appealed. However that decision has now been upheld by magistrates at Ilkeston.

Presiding magistrate Robert Lander told him: "It is our opinion you are not a fit and proper person to hold a licence."

As reported in June in the Post, Wood was ordered to pay £1,200 after overcharging blind passenger Sue Atchinson by a few pounds.

She complained about her £23 fare and an inquiry by Amber Valley Borough Council found she had been charged too much.

Wood, who runs All Ways Taxis, of Nottingham Road, Eastwood, denied a breach of hackney carriage fees set by the council but was found guilty and given a two-year conditional discharge.

Wood told magistrates: "I believe the customer was not over-charged as it was not done deliberately."

Within a week, he delivered a letter of apology and a £4.10 refund.

At the latest hearing Mr Wood of Nottingham Road, Eastwood, told the court

he had improved as an operator and was proud of his business, which employs a dozen people. The ruling bars Mr Wood from operating as a cabbie in Amber Valley but does not affect drivers he employs. He was also ordered to pay £825 court costs.

Council assistant chief executive John Grady said Wood was first convicted in 2001 of unlawfully plying for hire in Broxtowe.

In May the following year, he was convicted of failing to stop after an accident. He was later warned about his conduct and had his licence suspended for a time.

But Mr Wood said he enjoyed the respect of his staff and customers, who had signed a petition to show their support.

Judgement on this case,not good enough?


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