Speeding Carlisle Cab Driver Stripped Of His Taxi Licence
Thursday, 06 August 2009
A Carlisle cab driver has been stripped of his taxi licence after he was caught speeding twice in six weeks.
Paul RhodesPaul Rhodes, 45, of Gilsland Road, Durranhill, has a history of motoring offences.
He has been stopped for speeding five times since 2003 and received a fixed -penalty notice for using a mobile phone while driving in 2007.
He has also been cautioned and fined for two counts of common assault and cautioned for resisting or obstructing a police officer.
Councillor David Morton, chairman of Carlisle City Council’s regulatory panel, branded him a threat to the travelling public.
Revoking Mr Rhodes’s taxi licence, Mr Morton said: “It is the unanimous decision of the panel that he is unsuitable to drive a taxi. The people of Carlisle are unlikely to be safe in a taxi driven by him.”
Mr Rhodes was called before the panel following two speeding offences this spring.
He agreed to attend a speed-awareness course after he was caught speeding in Durranhill Road on March 3.
A month later he was spotted again, this time travelling at 47mph in a 30mph zone on Castle Way with three passengers in his cab.
Magistrates sitting in June fined him £295. But they allowed him to keep his driver’s licence on grounds of hardship even though he had amassed 14 penalty points – normally 12 points mean disqualification.
Mr Rhodes hoped for leniency from the panel too.
He did not attend yesterday’s meeting at the Civic Centre but sent a letter instead.
It said: “On the bank holiday weekend there were long queues for taxis and an opportunity to make money.
“I did a speed that wasn’t acceptable in order to get back to the queue.”
He said he had two daughters to support and a large mortgage.
He added: “I’m not a bad man and could not be more punished. I appeal for you to be lenient with me.
“If my licence is taken off me I cannot appeal because I have no money for lawyers.”
Mr Rhodes was due before the panel last month but the hearing was adjourned when he failed to turn up.
Licensing office Barry Sharrock told councillors that Mr Rhodes had already sold his taxi and taken a labouring job in anticipation his licence might be revoked.
Source; NewsandStar.co.uk
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