Taxi driver fails in appeal over revocation of licence for driving on pavement

A hackney carriage driver who was caught driving on the pavement on two separate occasions has failed in an appeal over the revocation of his taxi licence.

The first offence committed by Manzoor Hussain, of Combe Road, Tilehurst was spotted by police officers on 5 April 2018.

Officers witnessed the 44-year-old driving from St Mary’s Butts to Oxford Road via the pavement in front of Metro bank and across the entrance to the Broad Street Mall to avoid traffic.

On 16 May 2018 he was caught on CCTV driving across the pavement outside Tesco Express on Oxford Road to avoid having to reverse into a parking space.

Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Committee revoked Mr Hussain’s licence at a meeting on 1 August 2018 as members concluded he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

Mr Hussain subsequently appealed the committee’s decision and had his case heard at Reading Magistrates Court (last month (18 March).

However, the court dismissed his appeal and ordered him to pay legal costs of £500.