Formal warning issued after off-duty private hire driver engages in sexual activity at public car park with ‘friend’
- Perry Richardson
- May 7
- 2 min read
Updated: May 8
A Middlesbrough private hire driver has received a formal warning from the Licensing Committee after being caught engaging in sexual activity in his licensed vehicle while off duty.
The incident took place on 13 March 2025 in a public car park in Stockton. The vehicle, licensed by Middlesbrough Council, was identified through CCTV footage supplied by Stockton Council. Licensing officers were informed of the footage on 17 March and confirmed the driver’s identity through his employer.
During an interview on 21 March, the driver acknowledged that he was in the vehicle with a female passenger at the time of the incident but stated he was not logged in to work and the woman was not a fare-paying customer. He described her as a ‘friend’ and admitted to engaging in sexual activity while parked.
The driver, originally licensed in October 2019, had previously been granted a licence despite not meeting all standard requirements due to his asylum status. At the time, members of the Committee believed him to be credible and reliable.
At the hearing, the Committee determined that although the driver was not working during the incident, his behaviour was not acceptable for someone in possession of a private hire licence. The Code of Conduct requires drivers to behave professionally at all times, regardless of whether they are on or off duty.
It was also noted that police had advised the incident could have amounted to an offence under public decency laws.
Despite this, the Committee decided not to revoke the licence. Instead, a formal warning was issued, emphasising that the conduct was not tolerated and that the driver must comply with all professional standards going forward.
