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Posted on the 20th May 2025 in PHTM News
NORTH KESTEVEN COUNCIL'S ACTION VINDICATED AS CABBIE LOSES LICENCE AFTER REPEATED SPEEDING
A Sleaford self-employed taxi driver, Enus Karim, has permanently lost his licence to operate, concluding an extended legal battle that saw North Kesteven District Council's decision to revoke his licence upheld by both the Magistrates and Crown Courts.
The saga began in October 2023 when Mr. Karim was initially issued a hire driver licence despite having three speeding convictions.
However, in June 2024, after committing two more speeding offences on consecutive days at the same location, North Kesteven District Council’s General Licensing Sub Committee deemed him "no longer a fit and proper person to continue to hold his Hire Driver Licence due to his propensity to speed and therefore put passengers and other road users at increased risk," and subsequently revoked his licence.
Mr. Karim challenged this decision, first appealing to Boston Magistrates’ Court in December 2024, where his appeal was dismissed and the Sub Committee's decision upheld.
Undeterred, he launched a further appeal to Lincoln Crown Court, which was heard on May 2, 2025. The Crown Court judge again dismissed his appeal, firmly endorsing the council’s actions and the processes taken under their Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
As a result of the court's ruling, Enus Karim is no longer licensed to operate as a taxi driver and has been ordered to pay the council's costs of £800 for the two appeals he initiated.
Cllr Mark Smith, whose remit includes licensing and public protection, welcomed the court's decision, stating: "The primary purpose of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing is public safety. It is rare for taxi appeals to progress to the Crown Court, so it is satisfying that the current policy, and the way it is implemented, have been endorsed by both the Magistrates and Crown Courts."
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