Cabbie given licence back after assault
TAXI driver David Clift has been allowed his licence back after magistrates overturned a council ruling.
Stafford Borough Council had refused the cabbie a licence after he was jailed last year for an assault.
Clift, aged 45, of Walton Grange, Stafford Road, Stone, appeared before magistrates to ask for the council decision to be overturned.
The victim and his girlfriend were in bed at home when Clift and an accomplice broke in to his house and beat him up in the early hours.
Clift was jailed for 15 months in January 2008 at Stafford Crown Court after admitting the assault.
He had previously been a taxi driver with K Cabs, of Stone.
But he was refused a licence in July because the council said the conviction demonstrated he was 'not a fit and proper person' to hold one.
Council solicitor Simon Turner said the policy of the local authority was designed to protect the public and that someone who had been convicted of violence would not be eligible to hold a licence until at least three years after the conviction.
Richard Oldroyd, for the appellant, said although it had been a serious offence it was "not indicative of anything he has done in the past or anything he has done since".
Allowing the appeal, magistrates' chairman Marika Holden said: "Because of your exemplary previous record before the offence and your attitude since, along with your regret and remorse, we feel that the public is sufficiently protected."
She added in their opinion Clift was a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
5 Comments
by michelle, stafford
Sunday, November 08 2009, 12:53PM
“I agree with warren from Meir but should have consistences within the policies as there was another Taxi driver who was not granted his license and has lost his livelhood and his family are suffering again for a crime which was commited almost 15 months ago. Why should he and his family keep paying for a mistake which he has served and why is there never any coverage which speaks the truth.”
by michelle, stafford
Sunday, November 08 2009, 12:46PM
“Totally agree that there is one rule for one and one rule for another. Everyone deserves another chance particulary if they have done their time and payed the price for their mistakes. Just do not think it is fare to award someone else a license and not an other especially when not knowing all the circumstances. Also not aware of the damaging effect it causes to the family particularly when unnecessary.”
by Warren, Meir
Thursday, October 29 2009, 9:11PM
“If the offence was not commited within his work, his licence sould have been granted. He payed for his crime, he sould not have his livelyhood removed to,”
by e a wood, hixon
Sunday, October 25 2009, 10:40AM
“How hypercritical can it be that someone who has 15 months gaol sentence for assault can be allowed to have his licence to be reinstated when there is a ruling that there has to be a rehabilitation period of three years after the offence before the said licence can be returned in order to prove
to the public, that he is a FIT and PROPER person to deal with the public in a role of trust and safety. I hope in my heart of hearts that this man does not come across any unruley or abusive clients in the course of his duties late one, or we may be reading of a far more serious consequences. Also I would be asking the question of the magistrates how come there is a law for one and another for someone else who has also commited an offence and has been told by a Crown Court Judge at the time of his sentence that he is not a risk to the public and that he is repentive of his crime and is trying to move on with his life and look after and provide for his young family and therefore should be allowed to as it would be counter productive to send him to gaol. I feel that there is no consistancy and that the magistrates in this case hopefully will not live to regret their decision.”
by Staffordian, Stone, Staffs
Friday, October 23 2009, 6:03PM
“How reassuring to know that the driver of the taxi I call tonight could have a conviction less than 2 years ago for a vicious assault on a couple in bed, (having broken in to their house, presumably to burgle it). Yet another example of magistrates being totally out of touch with the real world. i wonder what undesirable they will be giving a taxi licence to in the future?”