Private hire licence REFUSED after woman complains of driver ‘grabbing and licking her breasts’
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Bolton Council’s Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee has refused an application for a private hire driver’s licence following allegations of serious misconduct and a history of complaints.
The hearing, held on 9 September, considered the case after the applicant failed to attend for a second time, despite being informed that the matter would proceed in his absence if he did not appear. The late request for adjournment was rejected by the committee, which decided to hear the case based on the evidence already submitted.
Members were told that a complaint received in September 2022 involved serious allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards a passenger.
According to the report: “The passenger passed out in the vehicle, upon coming around, the driver was on top of her, grabbing and licking her breasts.
“The passenger tried to push him off, but she could not. When the passenger managed to get out of the vehicle, she noticed her belt was undone as well as the button and zip on her trousers. Subsequently the complainant confirmed details of the incident in an email of 6th October.
“The applicant denied the allegations, but the Committee found the allegations to be credible and were concerned for those who travel alone in his vehicle.”
The report also highlighted twelve previous complaints recorded by the operator, along with repeated warnings issued in 2021 and 2022. The applicant was said to have previously breached licence conditions before his last licence expired.
After hearing all available information, councillors agreed unanimously that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver’s licence. The application was therefore refused on public safety grounds.
The decision reflects the committee’s continued position that serious breaches of conduct and repeated complaints will result in firm action to protect the travelling public.
