A taxi driver in Stockton has had his licence reinstated after councillors found no evidence to support allegations of grooming. The driver, who remains unnamed, was accused of inappropriate conversations with a vulnerable passenger. However, Stockton Council’s licensing committee concluded that his actions were an isolated case of poor judgment rather than malicious intent.
Allegations of Inappropriate Behaviour
The driver’s licence was initially suspended following a complaint from a mother who claimed he had “groomed” her daughter, a vulnerable young adult. According to the complaint, the driver had made inappropriate remarks of a sexual nature while the young woman was a passenger in his taxi.
The allegations included:
- Suggesting they go on holiday together to Benidorm.
- Talking about his friends attending a live sex show during a stag party.
- Proposing a trip to Newcastle for drinks.
- Mentioning that they could “run away for a weekend” and “get a room with separate beds”.
- Making a comment about the woman’s nightwear.
The driver denied making any inappropriate comments and claimed his remarks were just “banter”.
Driver’s Defence: Banter Taken Out of Context
During his interview, the taxi driver admitted that he may have “overstepped the mark” when discussing the stag party events. He explained that his comments were meant as lighthearted jokes and friendly banter to “lift her mood”.
He insisted that the suggestion of a trip to Benidorm was never serious and was simply a joke. He also admitted to sending the woman a social media friend request while driving and later messaging her with the question, “Do you miss me?”. He described this message as “daft banter” and said he regretted sending it.
Impact on the Victim
The young woman did not attend the committee meeting but provided a statement explaining how the situation had affected her. Her mother, who testified on her behalf, said the woman felt “frightened and uncomfortable” and was now “petrified” of seeing the driver in public. The mother described the conversations as “totally inappropriate”, given her daughter’s vulnerabilities.
Committee’s Findings: No Evidence of Grooming
Despite the victim’s distress, the committee concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the grooming allegations. The police had also stated they could not pursue the case further due to a lack of concrete proof.
The committee acknowledged that the driver had made inappropriate remarks but considered this an isolated incident. They were swayed by:
- 13 positive character references.
- Consistent good reviews from other passengers.
- His admission of crossing a line and willingness to learn from the experience.
The committee ultimately decided that the driver remained a “fit and proper person” to hold a taxi licence.
Driver’s Reaction and Outcome
The taxi driver expressed shock and disbelief at the allegations, calling them “ludicrous”. He claimed the accusations were potentially motivated by jealous competitors trying to damage his reputation.
The suspension had caused him financial difficulties and emotional distress, including weight loss. He maintained that his actions were never intended to cause harm and were simply misunderstood attempts at humor.
The committee reinstated his hackney carriage licence but issued a clear warning about maintaining professional boundaries with passengers in the future.
This case highlights the importance of professional boundaries in customer service roles, especially when interacting with vulnerable individuals. While the driver’s actions were deemed inappropriate, the lack of evidence led to his licence being reinstated. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of blurring professional lines, even unintentionally.
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