Posted on the 4th August 2025 in PHTM News
DRIVER WHO PERFORMED SEX ACT IN PUBLIC DENIED TAXI LICENCE BY STOCKTON COUNCIL
A man who had his private hire licence revoked in Middlesbrough after a hospital worker reported seeing him perform a sex act in public has been denied a new licence by Stockton Borough Council.
The driver claimed he was suffering from a medical condition that caused "uncontrollable itching," but his explanation was rejected by both councils.
The incident was reported by an employee of James Cook University Hospital, who said she and her partner saw the driver "in full view of members of the public" outside his PHV.
In an interview with council officers, the driver claimed he had a medical condition that caused "bobbles on his penis" and discomfort when sitting. He showed officers medication he said was for skin infections but could not provide evidence of a diagnosis.
The driver had applied for a new licence with Stockton Council without declaring the 2024 revocation of his Middlesbrough licence. He later tried to withdraw his application, but the committee decided to proceed with the case "bearing in mind the seriousness of the concerns raised."
The licensing committee "felt very strongly" that whether the driver was performing a sex act or itching, his behaviour was "completely unacceptable and wholly inappropriate."
They were concerned about his "lack of insight" and "lack of remorse," which they said was "compounded by [the applicant's]... failure to declare that he had been previously licensed as a driver and subsequently revoked by Middlesbrough Council."
The committee ultimately found that the applicant was not a "fit and proper person to hold a private hire vehicle driver licence."
In two other separate cases, Stockton BC also unanimously refused to grant licences to drivers with past issues.
One driver, who had his previous licence revoked after a woman reported him for stalking, was found to have shown "unusual behaviour" and "obstructive conduct."
Another driver who was previously revoked following multiple complaints, including an alleged hit-and-run, intimidating behaviour, and a report of his vehicle being used to "facilitate drug dealing," was denied a new licence.
The committee found this driver "disingenuous" and had a "lack of insight" into his past conduct, which he "appeared to minimise rather than accept."
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