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Taxi Driver Has Licence Revoked

A Council’s Licensing Department decision to revoke the taxi licence of Rhondda Cynon Taf taxi driver has been upheld following a successful appeal hearing.

At an appeal hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, it was determined that Sui Hung Yip, of Church Village, was not a fit and proper person to drive a taxi. His hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licence was revoked.

Having previously had his licence revoked by the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Licensing Department following complaints received regarding his conduct as a driver, the Department received information that Yip continued to accept fares and transported passengers without a licence. 

As part of an investigation by Council officers, Yip accepted a fare with the intention of collecting passengers within the Church Village area. Officers waited and encountered Yip arrive in a licensed vehicle to collect the fare.

During an ensuing conversation with Council Licensing Officers, Yip admitted accepting the fare without a licence. His actions put the public at risk as he would not have been insured to drive the vehicle and accept a fare.

This decision was initially appealed by Yip at Magistrates Court in December 2021 where the magistrates overturned the revocation. However, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council appealed this decision at Crown Court, on public safety grounds.

Following the Crown Court hearing, the Judge agreed with the Local Authority and ordered the revocation of the licence.

A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Licensing Department, said: “We have a duty to ensure all taxi drivers in Rhondda Cynon Taf place paramount importance on the safety of the public. 

“A Taxi driver holds a position of trust and has a duty of care, and when they fall below the expected standards, we have no hesitation in revoking their licence. We are pleased with the outcome of this case.” 

Posted on 21/06/2022