Reading Taxi driver fails in his bid to have his Hackney Carriage licence reinstated following an se

A hackney carriage taxi driver from Reading has lost an appeal to have his licence reinstated following an allegation of sexual assault. According to a report in Heart, the alleged victim, a female student, took a trip in the black taxi of the accused from outside the Q Club, Friar street, to the Cemetery Junction area last November. According to the woman’s statement, the driver helped her out of his taxi and then attempted to kiss her and sexually assault her. A complaint was made by the woman to the police and also reported to the Council. The police did not pursue a prosecution but after hearing the evidence the licensing Applications Sub-Committee decided to revoke the accused hackney carriage licence. The driver in question appealed the decision at Reading Magistrates Court on October 5 2018, but the decision to revoke his licence was upheld by a district judge who stated that the original decision was correct.

Councillor Tony Page, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: "People taking a black cab have a right to feel confident that they will be transported safely and without incident. "This is a shocking case which belies the professional behaviour of a vast majority of Reading's hackney carriage drivers. "This case acts as an example of the good work our Licensing officers do to ensure the town's licensed taxis meet the high standards expected by the Council and the Reading public."