Minutes:
Members were asked to consider and determine the continued fitness of
combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 due to the driver videoing a police incident involving a female which had been captured on Stockton Councils Public Space CCTV.
Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 and his representative Mr Siddique attended the meeting and were given the opportunity to make representation.
Sergeant 2315 Smith, of Cleveland Police attended the meeting as a witness and was given the opportunity to make representation.
Committee papers and reports had been provided to all relevant parties prior to the meeting as well as additional documents submitted by Mr Siddique.
The report detailed the following:
- The CCTV referral
- a police officer witness statement
- a PCSO witness statement
- copies of dialogue between combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Siddique and Licensing Officers
- notes relating to a phone call between Mr Siddique and officers
- a copy of a letter sent to combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 inviting him for an interview
- a copy of a complaint made against a police officer by combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597
- a copy of a written response and e mail to interview questions
- a copy of a travel document to Saudi Arabia which was not signed by combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597.
The Chair introduced everyone present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.
Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative, Mr Siddique made an application for deferment of the Committee hearing until the outcome of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s ongoing complaint to Cleveland Police was known. Mr Siddique submitted that, in his view, the outcome of the complaint may change the weight that the Committee would give to the officer’s evidence.
The Committee felt that it was important to determine the matter, particularly as the licensing team’s investigation had begun in January 2026, and had not been resolved, despite extensive correspondence between Mr Siddique and the licensing team. The Committee noted that their focus was on combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s conduct, and whether they deemed him to be a fit and proper person, rather than the conduct of a police officer. The Committee determined that the application for deferment should be refused and the hearing proceeded.
Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 and his representative Mr Siddique appeared before the Committee for Members to determine what action to take and whether on the balance of probabilities combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 remained a fit and proper person to hold a combined hackney carriage and private hire drivers’ licence with this authority following the receipt of evidence indicating he had videoed a police incident involving a female and which had also been captured on Stockton Councils Public Space CCTV.
The Committee noted that this matter had been brought before them for determination of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s continued fitness to drive hackney carriage and private hire vehicles as detailed in the Committee report and appendices.
The Committee heard that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had been a licenced by the Council since August 2022.
The Trading Standards & Licensing Services Manager explained that the Council’s licensing team had received a report from Cleveland Police’s licensing team during January 2026. The report related to a police incident where combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had involved himself. The incident was in relation to a police arrest involving an intoxicated female in relation to an alleged knife-point robbery.
The Committee heard that CCTV footage showed a female resisting arrest, and two police officers struggling to place the female into the rear of a police vehicle to detain her. Three police vehicles were present at the time.
Committee Members were presented with the officers’ report as well as CCTV footage which showed the following;
•Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s licenced vehicle, which could be seen on arriving at the scene and being parked directly behind the police vehicles.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 appeared to begin to film the police incident on his mobile telephone, exiting his vehicle whilst doing so. At the same time the female continued to resist being placed into the rear of the police vehicle.
• Once combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 exited his vehicle he continued to film the officers and the female.
• CCTV footage also showed what appeared to be an animated exchange between a police officer, and combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 taking place.
• After the police vehicle containing the arrested female left, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 moved his vehicle forwards into a space created by the police vehicle that had left. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was seen on CCTV exiting his vehicle, again with his mobile telephone in his hand, and appeared to knock on the window of the police vehicle that the police officer was sitting in. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 then appeared to be recording his exchange with the police officer on his mobile telephone.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 appeared to continue recording, moving the mobile telephone around to record the surroundings, appearing very annoyed.
• The police officer could be seen attempting to drive away, however combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 stepped in front of the police vehicle and obstructed its path.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 appeared to be shouting something at the police officer, pointing his finger, still appearing to be recording the incident on his mobile telephone.
• The police officer appeared to attempt to drive the police vehicle away again, and combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 appeared to be shouting at the police officer. As the vehicle continued to move, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was walking beside it, saying something to the officer and still appearing to record the incident.
• The police vehicle stopped, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 approached the vehicle and put his hand into the police vehicle.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 appeared to be walking away from the police vehicle saying something to the officer as he walked away.
• The police officer immediately parked the police vehicle behind combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s vehicle, and exited it. The police officer appeared to be having a firm conversation with combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s hands were in the air in what appeared to be an apologetic manner.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 got into his vehicle with his phone in his left hand.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 drove away from the scene.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager summarised the statement of the police officer which was contained within the officer’s report.
The police officer confirmed the following:-
• The details of the incident was consistent with the account depicted on the CCTV footage.
• The police officer did not think that someone in combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s position, should be recording a vulnerable female.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 obstructed the police officer from leaving the scene.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 called the police officer obscene names.
• The police officer was concerned in relation to combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s integrity and the fact he was in a position of trust.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager summarised the statement of a PCSO to members which was contained within the officer’s report and who had confirmed the following: -
• That he had previous interactions with combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 where he had repeatedly involved himself in incidents that did not concern him.
• That combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had behaved aggressively or in a manner intended to challenge or disrupt police activity.
• That, in his view, as a licensed taxi driver representing the Council, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s behaviour fell below the standards expected of someone working in a professional, public-facing role.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager summarised the contact that the licensing team had exchanged with combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 and his representative throughout the matter. The Committee heard that:-
• During January 2026 – combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s was contacted by telephone and advised of the information received from the Police Authority. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 advised licensing officers the police officer claimed that he was on his mobile telephone whilst in charge of a vehicle, which combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 denied. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 agreed to attend an interview which was confirmed in writing.
• Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 then advised officers that he would be seeking legal advice in relation to the matter.
• The Licensing Team then received an email from combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Jaz Siddique of Skys Legal NE, advising officers that all correspondence concerning the matter should be directed to him. He asked for the arranged interview to be cancelled and advised that both he and his client were keen to resolve the matter.
• Extensive dialogue of over 25 emails then took place between Mr Siddique and licensing officers as detailed within the officer’s report.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager summarised the correspondence between combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Siddique and licensing officers to the Committee: -
• A continued dispute between combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Siddique and licensing officers had taken place regarding the necessity of a formal interview. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Siddique repeatedly declined offers for combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 to attend interviews and asserted his view that written responses were sufficient. Licensing officers maintained that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s attendance at an interview was a reasonable requirement under the Council’s Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy 2021 – 2026.
• An ongoing disagreement about the nature of the licensing team’s investigation, with combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Siddique focusing on the absence of criminality, and officers consistently clarifying that the matter related to the broader “fit and proper person” test.
• Repeated challenges from combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Siddique regarding the disclosure of CCTV footage, despite officers explaining the practical and data protection limitations of sharing the footage electronically and arranging opportunities for Mr Siddique and his client to view the footage in person.
• Allegations by combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s representative Mr Siddique of bias, procedural unfairness, and inappropriate conduct by licensing officers, which had been escalated through the Council’s complaints process.
• Partial engagement by combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 and his representative including the provision of written responses but a refusal to fully address all questions, and a refusal to provide combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s recordings of the incident which may have assisted in determining his fitness and propriety.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager summarised the remainder of the contact that the licensing team had exchanged with combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 and his representative throughout the matter. The Committee heard that: -
• A telephone call was received from Mr Siddique, during which he raised concerns about the handling of his client’s complaint, and again disputed the need for an interview. Mr Siddique was in favour of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 providing a written apology to the police officer who had given evidence. The Committee heard that a note of this telephone conversation was contained within the officer’s report.
• A final interview invite was sent to combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597. This letter confirmed that if combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 failed to attend or arrange an appropriate date for an interview, this could result in the available information being put before the General Licensing Committee, for members to consider his continued fitness to hold a licence, with this authority.
• Mr Siddique provided a copy of the complaint made to Cleveland Police against the police officer who was a witness at the scene of the allegation and who had provided evidence at the committee meeting. Mr Siddique confirmed that this complaint documented combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s version of events in relation to the incident. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 stated that:-
o he was concerned with what he was seeing so started to record;
o he did not obstruct or interfere with their duties;
o he did not drive whilst using his phone;
o he lightly tapped on the window to get the police officer’s attention; and
o he denies swearing at the officer.
Mr Siddique was given an opportunity for his client to respond to interview questions in writing.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager confirmed before the Committee that many of the answers to the questions raised were not relevant or the questions were not answered at all.
Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 attended an appointment with his representative Mr Siddique to view CCTV footage of the incident. During this appointment, Mr Siddique was again asked to share combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s video recordings made on his mobile telephone, which may have supported combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s version of events. Mr Siddique told officers that the recording was made on another mobile telephone which he had lost.
During the appointment, Mr Siddique confirmed combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 could not attend the date originally planned for this matter to come before the General Licensing Committee, as he would be undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, in order to accommodate the trip, officers rescheduled the hearing date.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager told the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had no previous complaints noted on the licensing team’s file, since the grant of his licence in 2022.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager confirmed to the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had attended today’s hearing and provided a 21 second clip of his video recording of the incident with Sergeant Smith. Mr Siddique confirmed that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had recovered this from his iTunes account, however unfortunately all footage recorded before and after this clip could not be recovered, as the mobile telephone that it was recorded on had been lost.
All parties had an opportunity to ask questions of the Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager. In response to questions from the Committee, The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager confirmed that the way in which combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had been dealt with by the licensing team was no different to how they deal with any other driver and that the correct procedures had been followed.
In response to the Committee’s questioning, The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager reassured the Committee that the complaints made against the licensing team by combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had been independently considered in line with the Council’s corporate complaints policy. The Committee heard that the outcome of the complaints was that there was no case to answer.
Mr Siddique presented Members with his submission on behalf of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 and clarified that he had refused to attend an interview with the licensing team on his advice. Mr Siddique told the Committee that in his view, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had provided his account in writing, and it was therefore unnecessary for him to attend an interview conducted under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
Mr Siddique confirmed to the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had hoped that this matter would have been resolved by now, without the need for a hearing. The Committee heard from Mr Siddique that in his view this was not a serious matter; combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was safely parked and not obstructing the police.
Mr Siddique told the committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was not uncooperative, and that in his view the large amount of correspondence with the licensing team demonstrated his client’s co-operation. In Mr Siddique’s view, this was a low level, minor issue, which should be considered by the Committee as a low-level matter before them.
Mr Siddique drew the Committee’s attention to 5 character references provided by Mr Siddique in support of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597.
In response to questioning from the Committee members, Mr Siddique confirmed that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was present at the time of the incident as he was driving to collect pots and pans for his food business when he saw the female being, in his opinion, manhandled by police officers. Mr Siddique confirmed that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 did not know the female, and he did not know why she was being arrested.
Mr Siddique told the Committee that although they may not agree with why combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was recording the ongoing incident, he should not be penalised for it. The Committee heard from combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 that the female was screaming and shouting, and that he felt compelled to record this as he has a daughter, a wife and sisters.
In response to questions from the Committee in respect of his motives for recording the incident, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 apologised for his actions and confirmed that the footage was not shared anywhere, and had since been deleted.
When questioned by the Committee in respect of his pattern of aggression referenced by PCSO Howe, further aggression demonstrated towards Sergeant Smith and witnessed by the Committee viewing the CCTV footage at the hearing, Mr Siddique stated that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 admitted becoming annoyed and did not dispute that.
Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 told the Committee that he only recalled two interactions with PCSO Howe and questioned why he was not arrested if his behaviour was so poor. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 stressed to the Committee that he was not of that character and was not a nuisance and believed himself to be a community-spirited person.
All parties had an opportunity to ask questions of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597.
Sergeant Smith entered the hearing to give evidence to the Committee, and
explained that there had been a knife point robbery in Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees; two male suspects had been detained, with one female suspect
outstanding.
The Committee heard that Sergeant Smith and two officers attended an address on Redhill Road to apprehend the female suspect, who was incredibly intoxicated, and whose trousers were coming down as she struggled when the police officers were trying to detain her in the police vehicle.
The Committee heard Sergeant Smith recall that a taxi pulled up and parked in very close proximity to the rear of the police vehicle where the officers were struggling to detain the suspect. Sergeant Smith recalled the incident to the Committee as it was described within the Committee papers.
In response to questioning by Mr Siddique about why he had advised combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 that he should not be recording a vulnerable female, Sergeant Smith confirmed that he did say this to combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597. Sergeant Smith confirmed that the female was vulnerable due to her intoxicated state; her trousers had fallen down and she was distressed.
Sergeant Smith told the Committee in response to further questioning from Mr Siddique that he was not offended by combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 filming, however, he did question the appropriateness of him filming a female in that state.
The Committee heard that Sergeant Smith did not have body-worn camera footage of the incident, however he confirmed that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had used inappropriate language directed at Sergeant Smith.
In response to the Committee’s questions, Sergeant Smith confirmed that this was not usual behaviour for a taxi driver, in his eighteen years of experience as a police officer.
Sergeant Smith was asked by the Committee to talk them through the CCTV footage. Sergeant Smith explained to the Committee how he had attempted to stand between the driver and the female, to protect her dignity, at the point that he realised that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was filming her, which the Committee noted was apparent from the CCTV footage.
In response to the Committee’s questions, Sergeant Smith explained that, despite combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s opinion that the female appeared to be manhandled by the officers, she was not being hurt and was intoxicated. Sergeant Smith expressed his view that the female did not want to be detained as she was involved in a knifepoint robbery.
In response to questioning about whether Sergeant Smith was obstructed or harassed, it was confirmed to the Committee that he could have arrested combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 for obstructing him, however he was required to quickly return to custody to deal with the arrested female.
Sergeant Smith expressed that in his view, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was interfering with law and order.
In response to questions from Mr Siddique, Sergeant Smith confirmed that it was permissible to record in a public place. Sergeant Smith further confirmed before the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had recorded the incident, and asked if that footage was available, as this would establish the exact interaction between him and combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597.
The Committee and everyone present then viewed the 21 second footage provided by combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597. When questioned in relation to why combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 only had such a short snippet of a nine-minute incident, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597stated that he panicked and deleted the video, and this was all that he could retrieve. combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 apologised for his error of judgement.
When asked by the Committee to clarify if he had deleted the footage, or if his mobile telephone had been lost as he had previously stated, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 confirmed that he had deleted the footage, and then his daughter had lost his telephone. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 conceded in response to questioning that it was not the right footage to take and confirmed again that it was not shared elsewhere.
When questioned in respect of how aggressive combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was behaving within the snippet of footage, Mr Siddique stated that it was understandable given that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had been told that he was being reported to the licensing authority.
The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager advised the Committee that PCSO Howe was unavailable however his statement appeared before the Committee and was read by the Committee alongside all documentation before them. PCSO Howe’s statement was summarised as follows: -
• Approximately three months prior to the statement being made, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 was seen parked on zig?zag markings outside the Coral betting shop on Stockton High Street. After being located inside the shop, he claimed he had dropped off an elderly passenger. When challenged about the illegal parking and his presence inside, his demeanour was described by PCSO Howe as aggressive.
• Approximately seven to eight months prior to the statement being made, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 stopped his taxi in the middle of the road on Westbourne Street, Stockton-on-Tees, preventing a marked police vehicle from passing. After being asked to move his vehicle, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 later pulled alongside officers and aggressively alleged he had recordings of a previous incident, repeating his accusations in a confrontational manner.
• Approximately one year prior to the statement being made, whilst officers were dealing with a traffic offence on Westbourne Street, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 involved himself by filming the incident, causing a distraction and interfering with the safe handling of the situation.
• Approximately sixteen months prior to the statement being made, officers attended to issue combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 with a Section 59 warning for antisocial driving linked to inappropriate horn use while delivering food. During this interaction, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 and his brother behaved aggressively, made derogatory comments, and attempted to intimidate officers by filming them at close range. Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 also followed officers to their vehicle, continued recording, and made repeated accusations. Councillors later reported that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had approached them about the incident.
• Approximately two years prior to the statement being made, a parking enforcement officer requested police assistance due to combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 acting aggressively over parking issues on Westbourne Street in Stockton-on-Tees. PCSO Howe intervened to de?escalate the situation.
In summing up, Mr Siddique stressed that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s conduct did not amount to a criminal offence. Mr Siddique told the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s driving record was impeccable, he had no issues with sobriety, nor any mental or physical issues.
Mr Siddique stressed to the Committee the powerful character references provided in support of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597. Mr Siddique told the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s conduct, at most, was a blip, and that he had been a taxi driver for many years.
Mr Siddique told the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s licence was his livelihood and stressed that he had to provide financially for his premature daughter and reminded the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 had apologised for his actions.
Mr Siddique urged the Committee not to suspend or revoke combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s licence and assured the Committee that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 would not involve himself in any further incidents. Mr Siddique asked the Committee to consider allowing combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 to retain his licence, with a condition that he was not to engage in any unacceptable behaviour for six or twelve months.
Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 appeared before the Committee for Members to determine his continued fitness to hold a combined hackney carriage and private hire drivers’ licence.
Members had regard to the Committee papers, which had been circulated prior to the hearing and presented to them, in addition to the CCTV and mobile telephone footage viewed at the hearing, and the oral submissions and responses to questions expressed by the officer; The Trading Standards and Licensing Services Manager; combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597representative; Mr Siddique, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 himself and the witness; Sergeant Smith.
After much deliberation and consideration of the submissions, the Committee members were not satisfied that they would allow people for whom they care to enter a vehicle with combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 alone due to their doubts arising from his conduct during the police incident. In the Committee’s view, the footage of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s conduct, compounded by a pattern of concerning behaviour, was a reasonable cause to revoke combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597’s licence.
RESOLVED that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 140597 have his licence revoked for the reasons as detailed above.