Rushmoor taxi driver loses licence after he reportedly 'touched a passenger inappropriately'
A taxi driver has lost his appeal to keep his license after he allegedly touched a female passenger inappropriately.
The driver, from Bracknell, appealed against a decision by Rushmoor Borough Council to revoke his licence at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court.
However, the decision was upheld by magistrates, and he was ordered to pay a contribution towards the council’s legal costs of £1500.
The court heard that the man, a joint hackney carriage and private hire driver, had his licence revoked following an allegation that in June 2020 that he hugged and tried to kiss a woman without her permission in Farnborough.
This was also reported as a breach of covid-19 guidelines by not social distancing.
Her friends complained to the operator who alerted the council.
The council undertook an investigation and a decision to revoke his licence was made on the grounds of public safety.
Rushmoor Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Councillor Maurice Sheehan, said:
“Customer safety will always be our number one priority, and we don’t tolerate this sort of behaviour by any of our taxi drivers. We are pleased the court backed our decision.”