Feuding taxi drivers pick-up 10 point fine

Each has been handed a 10-point penalty by a licensing committee panel.

A third driver has also had a 10-point penalty following a complaint about his attitude to the council's licensing officer.

Taxi and private hire licensing panel members councillors Keith Bridger, Chris Starnes and Bob White met in camera with Cllr Starnes in the chair.

They heard a confidential report from director of services Tony Leonard about a dispute between the two drivers.

The Rother minute of the hearing says: "The report gave details of a dispute that had arisen between the two drivers which had resulted in physical violence.

"In light of this incident the panel were asked to determine whether the drivers remained fit and proper persons to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence.

"Letters in support of the taxi company had been circulated to the members of the panel.

"The council's legal representative advised the panel on the matters which should be taken into account in determining these cases and the options open to them.

"The panel heard evidence from the head of environmental health, the drivers and one of the driver's legal representatives, who were in attendance.

"The panel proceeded to hear the case.

"Members considered the evidence and agreed that action should be considered against both the drivers.

"The panel agreed in accordance with the council's penalty points scheme that 10 points should be added to both drivers' Hackney Carriage Driver's Licences.

"These points would remain on the drivers' Licences for a year commencing from the December 21, 2006. Should a driver receive additional points in the next year and accumulate 12 points then the driver would be required to appear before the taxi licensing panel for consideration as to whether the driver's licence should be revoked."