Burgess Hill taxi driver stripped of licence after random check

Mr S Miah of Newport Road, Burgess Hill, was stopped on May 25, by a district council licensing officer, who found the vehicle had a defective tyre and no MOT certificate.

When questioned by the officer during the random check, Mr Miah admitted that he knew his vehicle did not have a valid MOT, the council said.

A spokesman said: “The hackney carriage had failed its MOT test on March 28, which recorded seven serious faults and three further advisory items.

“In spite of this, Mr Miah knowingly continued to carry passengers in the vehicle, racking up a further 3047 miles until he was stopped by the council licensing officer.

“The district council licensing committee considered the case on Thursday, July 26, and found that Mr Miah was not a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hackney carriage driver’s licence.

“Mr Miah’s licence, as well as that of the defective vehicle, was revoked on July 27, on the grounds of public safety.”

Mr Miah appealed the council’s decision but it was rejected by Brighton Magistrates Court on October 24, the council said.

Councillor Norman Webster, MSDC cabinet member for community, added: “Mr Miah’s car was found to be in a very poor condition and not covered by a valid MOT. To carry on driving the car in the state that it was in demonstrates a serious lack of care and professionalism.

“Our primary role as a licensing authority is the protection of the public and Mr Miah’s failure to ensure his vehicle was roadworthy demonstrates just how little regard he has for passenger safety.

“The licensing committee was left with no choice other than to revoke Mr Miah’s licence and I hope this decision serves as a valuable lesson to other taxi drivers about how important it is to ensure your vehicle is properly maintained.”