Taxi Driver Online

Bolton taxi row councillor vows to clear his name

A COUNCILLOR is fighting to clear his tainted name after he was cautioned for a series of taxi offences. Cllr Sean Hornby claims he “mistakenly accepted a council caution” in return for the case being dropped — which led to him being suspended as Bolton Council’s planning chief.

The ward councillor for Little Lever and Darcy Lever has now referred the case to the council ombudsman in a bid to have his record wiped clean. In March, Cllr Hornby received a caution when charged with using his car as a taxi without a licence; acting as a taxi driver without a licence; operating a car as a taxi without an operator licence; and using his car as a taxi without the correct insurance.

The case had been set to go to trial, but was halted at the last minute when Cllr Hornby agreed to accept a caution. This week Cllr Hornby said he had “no option” but to take the caution because he could not afford to fight the case in court. He says he has always maintained his innocence in respect of the allegations.

In his case to the ombudsman, the councillor attempts to rebut the council’s case by providing evidence from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), together with emails and copies of the licence he was operating under.

Cllr Hornby also dismisses the council’s case that he acted as a taxi driver — or acting outside the terms of a PSV licence — by taking a £25 fare for one person while carrying four passengers. In his defence, it is claimed he could allow one person to pay on behalf of passengers, or individual people could pay the £6.25 charge.

Cllr John Walsh, leader of Bolton’s Conservative Group, said yesterday: “He accepted the caution and as for where he takes it from there is up to him. “If he believes it has not been handled correctly he is entitled to take it to the ombudsman."

Bolton Council said it would be inappropriate to comment on the development.

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IDFIMH

Oh yes he is going very well, and he not my mate and if he was, I would not speck out IN Surporting him if he done wrong.

I have spent along time in this job and at first making a lot of cockups, now i do my home work first in most thing.

pepole beleve what they want not whatis right i know this is right, as i know i did noting wrong in the nta other then speck out, and take a lot of other associations on, get to big and would have had a lot of voteing rights when it came to the nta, i like to bet that was the reson why else would they be happey to trune down what would be a lot of mony it may have been some was worried i would have put in for director of region 5&6, its like an old school club the top never changes.

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

So much for the spell checker!

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Life? Don't talk to me about life!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjm2eslm6hI

Don't you consider admitting the offence(s) to be wrong, if he didn't commit them?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

We are still holding our breath waiting for proof of his innocence!

Charlie's say so not good enough then?
He will be shocked.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I think the fact the bloke accepted a caution and was chairman of planning speaks more words than anything written.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

http://enemiesofthepeople.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/2009-new-labour-cllr-sean-holby/

OPPOSITION leaders have called for the chairman of Bolton’s planning committee to consider his position after he admitted to operating an illegal taxi.

Labour councillor Sean Hornby has received a “simple caution” after admitting using his car as a taxi without a licence, acting as a taxi driver without a licence, operating a car as a taxi without an operator licence and using his car as a taxi without the correct insurance.

Yesterday, Bolton Council withdrew the case at Bolton Magistrates’ Court as Cllr Hornby accepted the caution — which means he admitted the offences.

His previous “not guilty” pleas were “vacated” — removed from the court.
The case has been ongoing since last August and has cost Bolton taxpayers thousands of pounds.

The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats leaders have called on Cllr Hornby, who represents Little Lever and Darcy Lever, to consider his position.

Tory leader Cllr John Walsh said: “Anyone in public life is accountable. I hope Cllr Hornby will consider his position.”


NOTE: now consider the disparity with the outcome of Mr. Holby crime with the crime of the ordinary man on the street. Are councillors, M.P.s and other government figures above the law?

http://www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/hcst/content.hcst?lang=en&textonly=false&dDocName=022267

Still sitting in judgement of Ph planning applications?

http://www.democracy.bolton.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=2133

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

If has pleaded not guilty in court, yet now admits it, could he not be charged with 'Perverting the course of justice'?

That said it's shameful that Bolton Council have settled with a simple caution.

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IDFIMH

Is that almost as shameful as being on a committee that deals with PH planning permission for offices?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin