Bad News For The Public and Cheltenham Taxi Service
A MAN with 17 convictions, including burglary, threatening behaviour and the possession of drugs has been given the green light to become a taxi driver.
Jayantilal Patel’s application for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence was granted for one year by Cheltenham borough licensing committee.
The decision sparked anger among taxi drivers.
Speaking after the meeting, Dave Hemmings, chairman of the Hackney Drivers’ Association in Cheltenham, said: “We’re seething. No one wants to step up to the plate and say ‘No you can’t become a driver because you aren’t fit and proper’.
“It doesn’t do the public image of taxi drivers any good.”
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Mr Patel, who was at the meeting, has 17 convictions comprising 28 offences dating from 1989 to 2003. They include going equipped for theft, threatening behaviour, burglary and theft, assault with intent to resist arrest and being drunk and disorderly.
He had told the committee: “I would like the opportunity to become a taxi driver for myself and my future.”
In his report, community enforcement officer Ian Deakins was impressed with Mr Patel’s open manner in discussing his past life and his determination to gain fruitful employment.
He said: “He has obviously matured and shows genuine regret for his past record.”
The last conviction was in June, 2003.
Mr Patel said he had previously worked in a factory and as a postman.
The committee voted to grant his application for one year subject to him successfully completing all other assessments.
The committee also reviewed the Hackney Carriage licence of Akekur Babu Rahman, who has nine penalty points on his licence for three separate fixed penalty offences, two for speeding and one for a defective tyre.
He said he had been caught by speed cameras on two occasions, not doing major speeds with no passengers.
The committee decided his licence should remain in force and that he be required to have a road safety unit driver assessment.
Mark Lewis was given the green light to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence, requiring he successfully undertake a similar driver assessment. He has two speeding offences.
Siraj-Eddine Kortbi’s application to renew his Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence was deferred pending appeal results. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for a public order offence and fined £80 in March.
The application of Riza Ali Ahmed for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence was withdrawn. He has previous convictions for possession of a Class A drug in 2006, and further conviction for obstructing the police, having no insurance, no driving licence and using a mobile phone while driving.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:45 am
*****It seems that Cheltenham Borough Council licensing Committee have lost touch with reality.*****
Its clear to see they need reminding that there prime objective as a licensing authority is to insure public safety - This move proves without doubt that are NOT doing there job!
Would the same committee members welcome this man into their home to babysit for their children? Or, would they book this man to drive their children to School? - Probably not, but they are happy for him to drive your Children…
September 9th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Very wise decision Cheltenham Council!
Just what I whant to know when I catch a Taxi home alone, that the driver ‘may have 17′ convictions.
Maybe after he has threatened me a bit he can offer me some drugs to make me feel better about the situation.
Thanks for making us women feel safe in a Taxi…
September 10th, 2008 at 9:30 am
This is Great news, can i have a licence for a cheltenham taxi please, then i can do a school run. I have been well behaved now for a few years now. . .
September 10th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Knowning that you can have a criminal record that includes assult and threatening behaviour and still be able to taxi vulnerable people on their own, will make me think twice about catching taxis in the future!
September 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Government can sometimes be very “confusing”, I guess they are giving a chance for this guy to “be good”, but doing so at the expense of the general public is so dangerous. It is a good gesture from the government but a very dangerous one…
September 11th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I guess the government wants to give him an opportunity to repent but doing so at the expense of the general public is a pretty dangerous move. Overall, I still think is dangerous to have him driving a taxi.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:42 am
This makes me wonder what exactly someone would have to do to not qualify for the taxi license. If this guy can qualify, apparently anyone can. I think I’ll pass on the taxi from now on.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Wow. This is bad news for Cheltenham!
September 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Wow, Scary article! I guess I can understand the governments reason for allowing him this job but I still wouldn’t want me or my friends/family to hop in his taxi.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
[...] This would never happen in Cheltenham (-: … see this post! [...]
October 8th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
This is a bit on the scary side. I was freaked out enough with most taxi drives, but this makes it a bit worse. Someone that has a record over that long of a time frame probably wont change. Bad habits are hard to break and most of the time they don’t.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
With 17 convictions and a charge rap so long he should not be driving anyone as a taxi driver.
I think the legal system is too lenient and that is why crime is on the increase.
November 15th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Tis is mad, at least it is reported in Cheltenham, in Gloucester this info would be kept top secret as they exclude the public and press from licencing and enforcment appeals!