Court upholds revocation of taxi driver’s licence

Wimborne Magistrates have backed Christchurch Borough Council’s decision to revoke the combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire licence of Mr Bill Tin Sung Leung.  

The council received a complaint from a member of the public on 28 July 2008 alleging assault following two previous allegations of assault within the previous 12 months. 

Mr Leung’s licence was subsequently revoked by the council on 7 August under powers delegated to David Fairbairn, the head of Legal and Democratic Services. The council was subsequently informed by the police that Mr Leung had also been the subject of a Vehicle Seizure Notification for anti social use of a motor vehicle. 

Mr  Fairbairn said:  “Where there is evidence that someone is not a fit and proper person, the council’s duty is to protect the public.  In this case, because of the number and nature of the allegations, the council considered that revocation of Mr Leung’s licence was the best way of protecting the public.  This approach has been supported by the courts in cases like this one, where there are allegations but no convictions.”

Mr Leung appealed to the Magistrates’ Court against the revocation of his licence during a hearing held at Wimborne Magistrates Court on the 29 October 2008.  The Magistrates dismissed his appeal accepting the council’s decision was correct and that Mr Leung had produced no evidence to prove that he was fit to hold a taxi driver’s licence.  The court also awarded costs to the council in the sum of £1,586.50.