Minutes:
The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader (Licensing) and the Applicant (RM) into the Hearing, made introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.
The Section Leader (Licensing), outlined the report regarding an application for a Private Hire Driver Licence, which had been circulated to all parties in advance of the meeting. The matter had been referred to the Sub-Committee in accordance with Guidelines Relating to Relevance of Convictions and Breaches of Licence Conditions, specifically paragraph 5.1.13(b).
All parties were invited to question the Section Leader (Licensing) on the report. No questions were asked.
RM confirmed that the information contained within the report was accurate.
RM said that his convictions for GBH and ABH had both occurred when he was under the age of 16. Following those convictions he had worked out what he wanted to do with his life and had now been a waiter for the past 18 years without incident. Similarly to driving a taxi, it was a customer facing service, just in a different setting.
The first offence occurred 20 years ago and the second offence 17 years ago and he deeply regretted his actions. He was now married with five children and, whilst he enjoys working with the public and always wanted to work in restaurants he wanted more time to spend with his kids. He had missed his son’s birthday through work and it had made him realise that he needed a change of profession to enable him to become a better father.
RM felt that his past misdemeanours did not reflect the person that he was today.
RM circulated references from customers to the Sub-Committee and stated that he was a reformed character.
All parties were invited to question the Applicant on his submission.
In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, RM stated the following:
· He had been a bad decision maker when he was young. The first offence came about through a fight at school when he was in Year 9. The victim had started the trouble but RM had got the better of him. At the time of the second offence he was hanging around with the wrong people and had over-reacted to a situation by slapping someone. He hadn’t intended to hurt him but that was what happened. The victim’s face had swollen up which resulted in the ABH charge;
· He had been married for 10 years and had calmed down a lot since his youth. He had worked with the public for 18 years, 10 years with his current employer, and considered himself to be a people person
· When dealing with rowdy customers he would remind himself that they were just enjoying themselves. If a taxi customer refused to pay he would just let it go, only ringing base as a last resort.
In response to a question from the Section Leader (Licensing), RM said that he would like to “test the water” with regard to the work that would be available to him if he was granted a Licence.
RM made a closing statement. His convictions were a very long time ago and he deeply regretted them. He wanted to serve the public and had done so for 18 years with no incidents as he had learned to keep his head down. Driving a taxi would enable him to spend more time with his kids. The past did not reflect the person that he was today.
RM and the Section Leader (Licensing) left the room to allow the Sub-Committee to determine the matter.
The Chair invited RM and the Section Leader (Licensing) back into the Hearing.
The Chair detailed the decision of the Sub-Committee, which was read out in full by J. Bramley, Senior Solicitor.
Resolved
That, having considered all the evidence presented at the Hearing, both written and oral, the Sub-Committee agree to grant a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence for a period of 12 months. The Licence is subject to RM passing the knowledge test and a satisfactory medical, if he hasn’t already done so.
The Applicant has a right of appeal, against the decision of the Sub-Committee, to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of receipt of this decision.
The Senior Solicitor detailed the appeals process as well as the costs and potential costs to the Applicant.
RM and the Section Leader (Licensing) left the room.
Supporting documents: