Sandwell taxi driver drunk twice in week loses licence
A taxi driver who was found to be drunk twice in the space of six days has had his licence revoked.
Sandwell licensing committee disqualified the unnamed man at a closed meeting of councillors last month.
Minutes of the decision show the driver, referred to only as Mr S B, had previously appeared before the licensing committee on April 23 this year after being convicted of being drunk in charge of his vehicle when his licence was suspended for four weeks.
Six days later, licensing officers received information Mr S B had been arrested again by the police for a non-motoring related matter when he admitted he had a drinking problem.
When his suspension ended he was interviewed by licensing officers about the second arrest and accepted he was in breach of conditions because he had not reported the second incident.
Saying he had since seen his doctor and been referred to a help group for those with drink or drugs issues, Mr S B told the committee he not had an an alcoholic drink in seven weeks.
He said he did not report the second arrest because he had hadn’t been charged by police.
After taking legal advice the committee found he had been drinking to excess and was not a fit and proper person to hold a Sandwell licence.
Councillors remarked Mr S B had been a taxi driver for 20 years and should have been aware that any incidents must be reported to the licensing office within seven days.
They added that he had been involved in two alcohol related incidents within a short period of time and it was considered there was a risk to public safety.
