Middlesbrough private hire licence REVOKED after fuel forecourt drive-offs and fake NHS patient drop-off who went missing

A Middlesbrough private hire driver has had his licence revoked with immediate effect after councillors found repeated allegations of dishonesty, unsafe driving and a failure to engage with licensing officers posed a significant public safety risk.

A Middlesbrough private hire driver’s licence has been revoked with immediate effect after the council’s Licensing Committee concluded that repeated incidents involving alleged dishonesty and unsafe driving meant the driver was no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

The decision followed a review hearing on 11 May, where the driver failed to attend despite multiple attempts by licensing officers to contact him.

The review centred on a complaint submitted by a licensed private hire operator in January 2026. According to the committee papers, the operator said the driver was no longer permitted to work for the business because of concerns over dishonesty.

Allegations included twice leaving petrol stations without paying for fuel, falsely claiming to have completed a school transport journey and telling an operator an NHS patient had been dropped at hospital when they had not. The patient was subsequently reported missing to police before the driver admitted he had lied so he would be paid for the booking.

The committee also considered evidence from another operator detailing six complaints made during early 2025 relating to speeding, unsafe driving, mobile phone use while driving, moving off before passengers were safely inside the vehicle, appearing too tired to drive and aggressive driving towards other road users.

Members also noted a previous written warning issued by the council after a complaint that the driver became involved in a confrontation following a collision while carrying an elderly and vulnerable passenger, whom he failed to assist.

In its decision notice, the committee said the driver had “continually” acted dishonestly while working as a licensed private hire driver and demonstrated “a clear pattern of unsafe driving putting his passengers and road users at significant risk to their safety”. Members also highlighted the driver’s repeated failure to attend interviews or engage with licensing officers during the investigation.

Revoking the licence under Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, councillors ruled the action should take immediate effect in the interests of public safety.