Man with 17 convictions given taxi licence
A MAN with 17 convictions, including burglary, threatening behaviour and the possession of drugs has been given the green light to become a taxi driver.
Jayantilal Patel's application for a Hackney Carriage Driver's Licence was granted for one year by Cheltenham borough licensing committee.
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The decision sparked anger among taxi drivers.
Speaking after the meeting, Dave Hemmings, chairman of the Hackney Drivers' Association in Cheltenham, said: "We're seething. No one wants to step up to the plate and say 'No you can't become a driver because you aren't fit and proper'.
"It doesn't do the public image of taxi drivers any good."
Mr Patel, who was at the meeting, has 17 convictions comprising 28 offences dating from 1989 to 2003. They include going equipped for theft, threatening behaviour, burglary and theft, assault with intent to resist arrest and being drunk and disorderly.
He had told the committee: "I would like the opportunity to become a taxi driver for myself and my future."
In his report, community enforcement officer Ian Deakins was impressed with Mr Patel's open manner in discussing his past life and his determination to gain fruitful employment.
He said: "He has obviously matured and shows genuine regret for his past record."
The last conviction was in June, 2003.
Mr Patel said he had previously worked in a factory and as a postman.
The committee voted to grant his application for one year subject to him successfully completing all other assessments.
The committee also reviewed the Hackney Carriage licence of Akekur Babu Rahman, who has nine penalty points on his licence for three separate fixed penalty offences, two for speeding and one for a defective tyre.
He said he had been caught by speed cameras on two occasions, not doing major speeds with no passengers.
The committee decided his licence should remain in force and that he be required to have a road safety unit driver assessment.
Mark Lewis was given the green light to renew his Private Hire Driver's Licence, requiring he successfully undertake a similar driver assessment. He has two speeding offences.
Siraj-Eddine Kortbi's application to renew his Hackney Carriage Driver's Licence was deferred pending appeal results. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for a public order offence and fined £80 in March.
The application of Riza Ali Ahmed for a Private Hire Driver's Licence was withdrawn. He has previous convictions for possession of a Class A drug in 2006, and further conviction for obstructing the police, having no insurance, no driving licence and using a mobile phone while driving.
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by Mr Holmes, glos
Thursday, September 11 2008, 10:42AM
“This is why we're in this mess - pandering to crimminals - it's a complete joke, who in the right mind would allow this vermin to taxi members of the public around? Welcome to MADHOUSE Britian. Avoid taxi firms who employ these types, and only use cab drivers you know and trust!”
by Edward, Painswick
Tuesday, September 09 2008, 2:36PM
“I am appalled but not surprised given Cheltenham Borough Council's decission to appoint the current Community Safety Officer with his previous conduct given I'm told its the same Trevor Gladding..”
by martin taylor, Norfolk VA. U.S.A.
Tuesday, September 09 2008, 1:11AM
“Hey is this the guy who delivered the passport ?”
by Rob, Abbeymead
Monday, September 08 2008, 9:51PM
“20% of the UK population has a criminal record, you can't deal with that by telling 12Million people that they can't ever work again, you're living in cloud cuckoo land if you think so. And if you then think that they should be limited to lesser jobs then you're increasing the chances for further re-offending.
Secondly, it's 5 years since his last conviction, which is likely (unless he's done some serious prison time) that he's been "rehabilitated" as determined by the Rehabilitation Act, which means that his convictions are spent. Although being a cabbie is possibly exempt from the Act, it goes some way to prove this man has turned the corner once and for all.
Everything has been done by the book and is above board, yet you wish to deny him his intentions of truly going straight simply because he's not holier than thou?”
by Paul, Cheltenham
Monday, September 08 2008, 9:46PM
“If the committee had refused all licenses then it would send out the message that if you commit crime and offences then you will not be able to get a job anywhere so don't fall into them in the first place.
Get a grip CBC, you are as bad as the FA with Joey Barton.”
by nige, Cheltenham
Monday, September 08 2008, 9:34PM
“Would any of these people been given a job working at Cheltenham Borough Council. Is this another example of those in 'authority' not acting in the interests of the people who put them in that position. Don't members of the licensing committee ask themselves 'why they choose this line of work rather than work in a factory'. Would they want there granny to risk travelling with one of these people ?. This committee should be replaced with people who have the guts to make the right decisions. The question now is 'How many more have they given licenses to ?' You really couldn't make this up.”
by martin, cheltenham
Monday, September 08 2008, 8:44PM
“Fair play to Cheltenham borough licensing committee,
they'll be giving Gary Glitter a licence for the school run next”
by J Bevan, Glos
Monday, September 08 2008, 8:14PM
“Iam not a sheep and i am going to stick up for this descision !I have a comment to make people are so quick to judge? We do not know his background people are not born bad? What do people expect him to do for the rest of his life! I mean if he did not have a job he might have a family to support if he did not have a job he would have 2 choices either crime which effects everyone and costs loads of money to keep people in prison or benefits which people moan about. If he has not committed an offence since 2003 5 years ago and he is trying to find gainful employment he has no serious convictions ie murder rapist peodophile i think he deserves the chance to work just to review his licience and keep and eye on him. I think newspapers are the worst as they sensationlise eveything and do not get everything correct and mislead things.”
by Gloucester Private Hire driver, Gloucester
Monday, September 08 2008, 8:06PM
“It's amazing. We are in a position of trust and are quite rightly checked and CRB'd by the authority. The point that worries me is the drunk and disorderly and the assault charges which should automatically bar an individual from this line of business. I would like to provide my name address and company but that would not be wise in our line of work. All i can say is that the public should be reassured that the vast majority of drivers are honest and decent people and i am appalled by Cheltenham's decision to grant this man a license. I know there will be people who deride my statement and say that everyone deserves a second chance and the right to work, but this is a job dealing up close and personal with the public and sometimes the public can be aggressive. I feel sorry for the other asian drivers who may now be looked at with suspicion by the public.”
by anon, Hesters Way
Monday, September 08 2008, 6:52PM
“Today, a man with 28 offences, some of them violent was given a position of trust driving a taxi, potentally with vulnerable passengers. Meanwhile the Johnsons each pay £1 for £300,000 worth of theft - What is going on?
Are the authorities mad? Is anyone in authority prepared to protect the public?
Today is a sad day for the county.”