Issue - meetings

Members were asked to consider and determine the continued fitness of licensed Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558 who had received a complaint in relation to conduct towards a female passenger.

Hackney Carriage Driver - 11158 attended the meeting and was given the opportunity to make representation.

A witness also attended the meeting and was given the opportunity to make representation.

Committee papers and reports had been provided to all relevant parties prior to the meeting. 

The report detailed the following:

- A copy of a statement from Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558.

- A screen shot of a Facebook messenger conversation between Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558 and the complainant’s brother.

- A copy of a Delegated Decision and suspension letter relating to Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558.

- An interview transcript, between Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558 and Licensing Officers.

- A copy of Facebook print outs provided by Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558 during interview, from his taxi Facebook page of reviews from customers and examples of times where he had looked out for

his customers.

The Committee heard that on Monday 16th September 2024, the Licensing Department had received a complaint from Ms J S, the mother of Miss S, a vulnerable young adult, who alleged her daughter had been groomed by licensed Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558. Miss S’s mother alleged that Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558 had inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with her daughter, in his vehicle, and that he had also exchanged messages with her via Facebook messenger.

The Committee were told that the complainant confirmed that her daughter, Miss S had additional needs and was vulnerable, due to her having autism and comorbid anxiety disorder. The complainant stated that Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558.was aware of Miss S’s vulnerability as he had transported her for the previous two years, most of which was chaperoned by the complainant, but more recently, Miss S had taken journeys with Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558 alone.

The Committee noted that witness statements had been taken from Miss S’s mother and her daughter, Miss S, on 17th September 2024. The Committee heard that the complainant had contacted police in relation to this matter, however due to a lack of evidence the police would not be able to investigate further.

The Committee heard that Miss S had told her mother that once she began to travel alone with licensed Hackney Carriage Driver, he asked why she did not sit in the front with him; Miss S had added that she felt uncomfortable doing this but struggled to say no due to her additional needs, and did sit in the front.

The Committee heard that Miss S had stated that Hackney Carriage Driver – 111558 asked if she used Facebook, requested her username, and sent a friend request to her whilst driving; she felt obliged to accept as he was with her when he sent it.

The Committee heard that Miss S had said that at the end  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35