• Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Bath Echo
  • Tuesday 16th August 2022
  • Subscribe
  • Opinion
  • Reviews
  • Letters
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Editions
Bath Echo

Bath, GB

  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Home
News Headlines
Politics

Bath taxi driver loses his licence over alleged homophobic comments

Wednesday 13th October 2021 Local Democracy Reporter Community, Politics

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share

A Bath cabbie who clocked up 23 complaints in 25 years has lost his licence after allegations he made homophobic comments.

The taxi driver – unnamed in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s published minutes – claimed he was being stitched up and the complainants had “made it their New Year’s resolution” to make sure that he lost his job.

They sent recordings of the exchange to the British Transport Police following the alleged incident last October but later asked for the investigation to be dropped.

The case was referred to the council’s licensing subcommittee, where the taxi driver told members: “People lie when they complain to give substance to the complaint.

“I have been set up by the recordings. Anyone but me would have slapped him but I did not.”

He denied that children travelling in his “noisy and unstable” old London cab would be “flying across the seats”, and said he would weave to avoid potholes and tell his customers to sit down around corners and hold onto the handles, adding: “My cab is very noisy so I raise my voice to be heard and some people interpret my loud voice as aggression.”

The man also denied refusing fares and overcharging customers and said: “I do a good job and I don’t behave like they portray me. I am fit and proper and these accusations are very hurtful and humiliating.”

Members found the allegation of intimidating behaviour with homophobic content “particularly distasteful” and said the licensee must take responsibility for his anger management issues.

The minutes from the meeting on 23rd September that were published last week say: “Members take an extremely dim view of such conduct which has included two alleged physical assaults and behaviour that will only serve to have a negative impact on public confidence in the licensing regime.

“In all the circumstances members found the catalogue of complaints reported spoke for itself and was a sad indictment on a career as a licensed driver in excess of 25 years.

“Members are also surprised and disappointed that the system appears to have enabled the licensee to be given numerous final warnings without being brought before them.”

They said they would not feel safe and secure alone in a cab with the driver and ruled that his licence should be revoked.

Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share
Next article Food and drink event attracts highest footfall in Milsom Street since 2018
Previous article Gift of more than £10k to hospital marks Baby Loss Awareness Week

Related Stories

Consultation launched on new First Homes national housing policy
Tuesday 16th August 2022

Consultation launched on new First Homes national housing policy

Green-fingered volunteers help renovate supported living garden
Tuesday 16th August 2022

Green-fingered volunteers help renovate supported living garden

Data reveals more than 36% of crimes in Avon and Somerset unsolved
Tuesday 16th August 2022

Data reveals more than 36% of crimes in Avon and Somerset unsolved

...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow

Top Stories

Consultation launched on new First Homes national housing policy

Consultation launched on new First Homes national housing policy

Tuesday 16th August 2022
Green-fingered volunteers help renovate supported living garden

Green-fingered volunteers help renovate supported living garden

Tuesday 16th August 2022
Data reveals more than 36% of crimes in Avon and Somerset unsolved

Data reveals more than 36% of crimes in Avon and Somerset unsolved

Tuesday 16th August 2022
Speakers aged 12 to 82 set to take part in this year’s TEDxBath event

Speakers aged 12 to 82 set to take part in this year’s TEDxBath event

Tuesday 16th August 2022
Uni celebrates hundreds of teaching graduates with honorary degrees

Uni celebrates hundreds of teaching graduates with honorary degrees

Monday 15th August 2022
  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
  • Back to top
Created by Media Bath - Regulated by IMPRESS

About the Bath Echo | Your City, Your News

We're your local independent newspaper covering news and events across beautiful Bath and the close surrounding villages. We're here to help keep Bathonians in the know about what's going on in their city.

Useful Info

  • House Rules
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Social Media Policy
© Bath Echo 2022. All rights reserved.
Produced by Media Bath Limited
Posting....