Chester Council Strips ‘violent’ Cabbie of Licence
11th September 2008
A violent private hire driver has lost his licence.
The unnamed driver was convicted of threatening behaviour, city councillors were told in a report.
He received a 12 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work and costs of £43.
During the incident the driver was seen to punch and kick another male on the ground.
Licensing councillors were concerned about the level of violence involved in the offence and stripped the driver of his licence.
Their decision led to an appeal to Chester magistrates where the driver was represented by a solicitor.
It was argued the conviction for threatening behaviour was not a conviction for violence.
A report says the appeal was rejected by the court due to the level of violence involved.
Costs of £250 were awarded to the city council but these have not been paid.
Town Hall solicitors say the council's guidelines recommend a “firm line” should be taken with applicants who have convictions for offences involving violence such as grievous bodily harm, wounding or assault.
They believe the council's success in resisting the appeal supports its approach in dealing with the case and applying the guidelines.
These suggest applicants should have at least five years free of conviction and even then a strict warning should be given.
Source; Chester Chronicle
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