Chain-wielding private hire driver BLOCKED from returning to the road by councillors following CCTV evidence
- Perry Richardson
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
A former private hire driver has been refused permission to return to work after councillors concluded he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence, despite police taking no further action over a serious alleged assault.
The decision was made by the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council General Licensing Committee at a closed meeting on 25 November 2025, where members unanimously rejected the application to regain a private hire driver licence.
The applicant had previously been licensed by the authority for around 16 years before his licence was revoked in August 2024 following police disclosure relating to an arrest for grievous bodily harm with intent and affray. Cleveland Police later recorded the matter as no further action, closing the case under an outcome where the victim supported prosecution but evidential thresholds were not met.
Despite the absence of criminal proceedings, councillors were presented with extensive documentation, including police disclosures, CCTV stills, a Storm incident report, a licensing interview transcript and footage of the incident itself. The committee also heard representations from the applicant, his son and his representative, who argued that the driver had acted in self defence while attempting to break up disorder.
Private hire driver application refused following violent incident review
The applicant’s representative told members that the incident was isolated and out of character, pointing to a previously clean criminal history and a long career transporting passengers within the borough. He argued that there was no evidence contradicting his client’s account and that the police decision to take no further action should weigh heavily in favour of reinstatement.
Committee members, however, took a markedly different view after watching the CCTV footage shown during the hearing. Councillors said the footage showed the applicant leaving his vehicle, approaching an ongoing violent incident and actively involving himself rather than attempting to disengage. Particular concern was raised about the applicant being seen swinging a chain towards another individual.
While the applicant disputed police descriptions of the object as a bicycle chain, instead describing it as a plastic interlinked chain, the committee stated that the material of the object was irrelevant. Members said the footage showed deliberate swinging of the chain and no evidence of any attempt to calm the situation or remove himself from danger.
Councillors were also troubled by inconsistencies in the applicant’s accounts of how he came to be holding the chain and by claims made during interview that he could not recall swinging it, despite remembering other details. On the balance of probabilities, the committee concluded that the applicant had been disingenuous and lacked insight into his behaviour.
The panel further noted that the applicant had previously been the subject of complaints in 2020 and 2022, one of which resulted in a warning letter despite not being substantiated. While not decisive on their own, members said these issues undermined claims of an exemplary record.
In reaching its decision, the committee stated that it would not be satisfied allowing someone they cared for to travel in a vehicle driven by the applicant, given the behaviour observed. Members concluded that the applicant’s conduct fell well below the standard expected of licensed drivers and posed an unacceptable risk to public safety.
The application was therefore refused, with councillors determining that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence. The decision brings the matter to a close unless the applicant chooses to pursue an appeal through the courts.
