Cheltenham taxi driver suspended after questioning how disabled a member of the public was in row

Image credit: Cheltenham Borough Council

A taxi driver has been handed a month suspension after a complaint against him for being abusive to a disabled driver was upheld in Cheltenham.

Cabbie Malcolm Rogers appeared at Cheltenham Borough Council's licensing sub-committee on 16 December, after a registered disabled driver complained about the ‘rude and abusive’ behaviour towards him on 20 October.

The complainant also said Mr Rogers questioned how genuine his disability was in public, which he found upsetting. The reporter of the complaint is registered disabled.

In the enforcement officer’s summary of the case it read: “The reporter suggests that the licensed driver was rude and abusive towards them and questioned the genuineness of their disability.

“They report that the driver made aggressive comments towards them which made them feel uncomfortable. The reporter suggests that following this they felt compelled to report it to the Council to prevent this happening to any other person in future.

“Mr Rogers reports that the member of the public was the aggressor and he was fearful. Mr Rogers has confirmed at every opportunity that he did not leave his vehicle during the whole time.”

It was revealed that the driver has had 10 previous complaints made against him and recorded. Mr Rogers last appeared before licensing sub-committee on 7 November 2018 following receipt of abusive behaviour. Members voted to issue Mr Rogers with a warning letter.

According to ITV News, the licensing committee voted to suspend Mr Rogers for a month. Delegate officers are to set out the type of training required which will be paid at the expense of the taxi driver.

Mr Rogers has 21 days to appeal the decision.