Posted on the 2nd April 2026 in PHTM News

CABBIE RECLAIMS LICENCE AFTER CONFRONTING YOUTHS IN THORNABY ROW

A taxi driver who took matters into his own hands after his car was struck by a shortened golf club has been cleared to return to work.

The driver had his licence reinstated by Stockton Council despite a heated confrontation in Thornaby town centre, where he was seen grabbing a youth and carrying the club through a supermarket.

The incident began at a taxi rank that had been "plagued for months with anti-social behaviour." After his vehicle was damaged by the thrown club, the driver spotted the group he believed was responsible an hour later.

According to council minutes, he got out of his car and "got hold of one of the youths by the arm."

The committee heard that he "held on to the youth for over a minute," an action the driver later "agreed that with hindsight this was not one of his greatest moments and was regretful." 

His representative, David Wilson, explained that the driver was hoping a nearby security guard would help him apprehend the group.

The situation escalated as the youths reportedly pushed a shopping trolley at the driver twice and threw objects at him.

CCTV footage showed the driver retrieving the golf club from his boot and walking toward the group, even entering an Asda store while still holding it.

While the driver had received previous warnings, the committee took into account the history of "anti-social behaviour incidents" at the rank, including a prior attack where stones were hurled at his car

Deciding he was still a "fit and proper person to hold a licence," councillors lifted his suspension but issued "a strong warning as to his future conduct."


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