Posted on the 30th October 2026 in PHTM News
DEVON CABBIE HAS LICENCE REVOKED OVER 'INAPPROPRIATE CONVERSATIONS' WITH YOUNG FEMALE PASSENGERS
A long-serving Devon cabbie who faced complaints about inappropriate conversations with female passengers, including minors, has had his licence revoked in the interests of public safety.
Torbay Council's regulatory sub-committee considered four complaints received between December 2025 and August 2026, involving inappropriate comments, poor customer service and aggressive behaviour.
Councillors were particularly concerned about allegations involving young female passengers, concluding that the complaints revealed a repeated pattern of poor judgement and a failure to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
The driver was also accused of shouting and swearing at passengers before ordering them out of his vehicle.
During the hearing, the driver said he could not recall some of the alleged conversations and had been unaware of the passengers' ages. He also acknowledged losing his temper on one occasion while under pressure.
The driver had held a council licence for more than 11 years, during which he had transported vulnerable passengers and undertaken school transport work.
He told the committee that significant personal and financial difficulties had affected his mental wellbeing and judgement, acknowledging that he was no longer in the right frame of mind to work as a licensed driver and did not wish to retain his licence.
Although councillors accepted his explanation, they concluded that the repeated complaints raised serious public safety concerns.
Applying the 'fit and proper person' test, councillors unanimously agreed that they would not allow someone they cared about, or a vulnerable person known to them, to travel alone with the driver.
The committee concluded that the repeated incidents demonstrated unacceptable behaviour, poor judgement and a failure to meet the professional standards expected of licensed drivers.
The hearing was held behind closed doors, and the driver's identity has not been disclosed.
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