Bolton Council’s Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee has revoked a taxi driver’s licence with immediate effect, ruling he posed a risk to passengers and the wider public.
The decision followed a hearing where councillors reviewed multiple allegations of violent conduct. The driver had recently been charged with assault by beating, after an allegation made by his daughter. Although she later withdrew her willingness to support a prosecution, she confirmed her statement was true and said she only stepped back because she did not want her father to go to prison.
History of Violence
The committee was reminded that in 2018 the same driver had his licence renewal refused after admitting to hitting his wife on three separate occasions. Other allegations included:
- Punching his mother-in-law and slapping his wife in 2017
- Arrests on suspicion of common assault in 2009 and 2011
- An accusation in 2007 of headbutting a colleague (later withdrawn)
Police told councillors they did not believe he was a “fit and proper person” to hold a taxi licence. While the driver said he had been referred to a 22-week course by social services and cited his wife’s health issues, councillors concluded that revocation was necessary in the interest of public safety.
The committee ruled there was “reasonable cause” to believe the driver presented an unacceptable risk to the travelling public.
Another Application Rejected
In a separate case, councillors also rejected an application for a new private hire driver’s licence. The committee had viewed video evidence showing a pedestrian being struck by the applicant’s vehicle and heard details of complaints about dangerous driving, aggressive conduct and inappropriate language.
Concerns were also raised about inaccurate information provided in an accident report and during a police interview. Although the applicant claimed to have attended a driver awareness course, there was no evidence of this, and no record of the matter being referred to police.
By six votes to four, councillors decided the applicant was not a “fit and proper person” to be granted a licence, citing risks to both passengers and the general public.
Council’s Stance
The decisions underline Bolton Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring only safe and responsible drivers are licensed to work in the town. Councillors stressed that protecting public safety remains their top priority when determining taxi and private hire applications.
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