Drink-drive cabbie boss to appeal refusal to renew his taxi licence (From Daily Echo)
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Drink-drive cabbie boss to appeal refusal to renew his taxi licence
9:32am Monday 20th February 2012 in Travel
Drink-drive cabbie boss to appeal refusal to renew his taxi licence
A TAXI boss is battling to save his business after being convicted of drink-driving.
Brian Marlow, who runs Fordingbridge Taxis, has vowed to lodge an appeal following the district council’s refusal to renew his taxi driver’s licence.
Mr Marlow, of Riverdale Close, Fordingbridge, was driving himself back from a darts match in February last year when he was stopped by police.
He was found to be twice the legal drink-drive limit and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
The veteran cabbie, who has been driving for 27 years, asked the council’s licensing sub-committee to renew his taxi driver’s licence once his ban had expired.
He said his disqualification had already cost him about £12,000 in lost business.
Mr Marlow added: “I was a damn fool but it was a one-off case of stupidity. I was astounded when I was told I was twice the limit.
“I really don’t want to close down and put two other people out of work.”
However, taxi drivers disqualified for drink-driving are not normally granted a new licence by the council until three years after their ban ends.
Councillor Paul Woods, chairman of the three-man sub-committee, said there was no reason why the council should deviate from its policy.
He added: “While the subcommittee was sympathetic to the applicant’s financial situation it was not appropriate to take these factors into account.
“The sub-committee were mindful that their duty in determining this application was to ensure the safety of the public.”
After the meeting Mr Marlow said: “I’m gutted. One mistake in 27 years and I’m finished.”
The cabbie vowed to lodge an appeal at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
Comments(12)
Big Mac
says...
9:51am Mon 20 Feb 12
no, just the one you got caught for.
If you hit '180' on drink driving, then you get what you deserve.
Raven 81
says...
10:17am Mon 20 Feb 12
He must have been driving recklessly to have been pulled over in the first place. Drink driving is terrible for anyone, and yes, it may be just one mistake but he should know better.
Most of us take great care of something that is our livelihood.
British asian
says...
10:39am Mon 20 Feb 12
G0Rf
says...
10:45am Mon 20 Feb 12
hythe knights
says...
10:56am Mon 20 Feb 12
bigfella777
says...
10:56am Mon 20 Feb 12
downfader
says...
11:57am Mon 20 Feb 12
Frankly idiots like this need the full driving licence taken away. You don't just make a "mistake" by being double the limit. Everyone knows the rules, even if you're unsure you do not drink.
He is making excuses and trying to blame others for the results of his own actions.
freemantlegirl2
says...
12:01pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Big Mac wrote:I have to say I agree with you. Someone who drives to a darts match, drinks does so with 'forethought and planning'..... cabbies, whether on or off duty are in a position of trust, how can his passengers be confident that he wasn't over the limit in the past (before caught) when driving.... All people who drive for a living should protect their livelihood, and surely he'd get a discount of a colleague driving him home ffs....
One mistake in 27 years...
no, just the one you got caught for.
If you hit '180' on drink driving, then you get what you deserve.
Am sympathetic about the loss of earnings but he's going to have to have a rethink about his future?
Paramjit Bahia
says...
12:08pm Mon 20 Feb 12
.
Council's decision is appropriate, hope the court will fully endorse it and won't fall for sob stories, as magistrates and judges often tend to do
.
As somebody has already said, how can anybody say that it was the only time he has done it, because all we know is this time he got caught and got very rightly booked and banned. Well done cops and licensing authority.
Georgem
says...
12:32pm Mon 20 Feb 12
bazzeroz
says...
3:37pm Mon 20 Feb 12
teamgreen says...
9:45am Mon 20 Feb 12