Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver loses licence - and fears he'll lose house

A TAXI driver fears he will lose his house after having his cab licence taken away. Mark Robinson, 51, of Ellacombe, pleaded with the council's licensing sub-committee not to revoke his private hire badge as a result of a criminal conviction handed down by magistrates.

He had been convicted for battery after hitting a man during a petrol forecourt row. The council was asked to consider whether, following the conviction, he was a fit and proper person to hold a badge in Torbay. After deliberating for half an hour the committee decided to uphold a 28-day suspension and revoke his licence for 12 months.

Following the meeting Mr Robinson said: "This is the only job I can do. I will probably lose my house because I won't be able to pay the mortgage, rent and bills. "I have apologised for what happened and hoped that would be enough. I'm desperately disappointed and don't know what I will do next."

In April, Mr Robinson pleaded guilty to an offence of battery after punching another driver at the garage in Hele Road. He told the committee he had hit the man during a row after the stranger drove in front of him to the pump, then walked quickly towards him. He was fined £400, but magistrates refused to order compensation, recognising that there had been some provocation.

Mr Robinson told the committee of three councillors: "I've worked as a taxi driver for over ten years and as a taxi driver I have never ever been involved in any argument with the public and have always walked away from problems. This one time I just lost it for a split second and I have apologised for that."

He was supported by the former general manager of Torbay Taxis, Paul Price, who told the committee he had 'never had to question' Mr Robinson's integrity and would not hesitate to employ him again. "This is his last chance saloon," he said.

The committee was reminded that in 2006 it had given Mr Robinson a warning after he was convicted of common assault and a public order offence. A council officer returning the committee's verdict said the licence would be revoked until April 30, 2011.

She added: "Members noted that he had been warned about his future conduct in 2006, and couldn't be satisfied that Mr Robinson remains a fit and proper person." Mr Price said afterwards: "It's wrong. He has two replacement hips and can't do anything else. In effect it is a three-year ban because the next time he applies they will run a criminal records check and the conviction will not have cleared by then.

"Now, instead of being a taxpayer he is just another statistic on the unemployment list. "If taxi drivers came to the council every time we were assaulted, robbed, racially or verbally abused then the courts would be full. It is a very unfair system."

_________________
IDFIMH

_________________
IDFIMH