Taxi driver denied licence after 'harassment texts'

A taxi driver has been denied a licence after he allegedly texted a female passenger to ask if she was single before going on to harass her when she complained.

The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, was alleged to have tormented the woman with more messages following her complaint, Bolton Council's licensing committee heard.

Committee members voted unanimously to refuse the driver a licence, noting "the applicant had not attended safeguarding training despite reminders and to date there was no evidence of completion".

The report by the committee went on to say the driver in question had breached the terms of his licence by returning to pick up the female without a prior booking.

The panel said this was an offence which would invalidate his private hire vehicle insurance, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Despite the driver admitting his wrongdoings at a private meeting with councillors, the committee agreed that the application to drive a taxi be refused as the applicant "is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time".

Minutes from the meeting, published by the council, read: "The applicant had acted in an inappropriate way towards a passenger by texting and asking if she was single and other messages and harassment by the applicant to the complainant following the complaint.

"The applicant accepted this had been wrong.

"The applicant had not attended safeguarding training despite reminders and to date there was no evidence of completion."

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