Sunderland taxi driver who lost licence after assault convictions has appeal turned down

David White had appealed against a decision of the council's Regulatory Committee.

The committee had heard evidence Mr White, of Whitehouse Lane, North Shields, had been convicted of common assault in January 2019.

He had already received a warning from the committee after a conviction for common assault in January 2017.

While neither of the offences involved violence against passengers, the committee ruled he was not considered to be a 'fit and proper person' to hold a private hire vehicle driver's licence.Mr White lodged an appeal at Sunderland Magistrates' Court at which the council's decision was upheld.He then lodged a further appeal at Crown Court, at which the council's decision was again upheld.

Her Honour Judge Amanda Rippon commented: "Taking into account all we heard and read about the appellant we were not satisfied on balance that he was, at the moment, a ‘fit and proper person’.”

Fiona Brown, the City Council's Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, said: "We are extremely pleased the Crown Court dismissed this appeal and by doing so upheld the decision that had been taken by our Regulatory Committee in March, 2019."

In the last three years, the council has revoked 19 drivers’ licences for reasons including penalty points, or convictions or cautions for driving offences, dishonesty and violence.