Agenda item

Mr Keith Lewis

Louis Krog, Business Support and Licensing Team Leader introduced the report as circulated with the agenda.  An application had been received from Mr Keith Lewis for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

Mr Lewis has a number of convictions, details of which are shown in the background papers.

Louis Krog advised the Committee that the following convictions were as follows:

1972 – using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour and assault on Police.

1997 – Using disorderly behaviour likely to cause distress.

1999 – Destroy/damage property.

1999 – Assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Louis Krog referred Members to the interview notes in the background papers, Mr Lewis had explained in his interview that the offence in 1972 was more than 40 years ago and was not clear on the details.

Louis Krog advised Members that sufficient time had lapsed since Mr Lewis’ convictions with regard to the policy considerations.

Mr Lewis and Mr Whitam attended the meeting and Mr Lewis spoke in support of this application.  He stated to the Committee that he was currently unemployed, his previous job was a heavy mechanical job and he was unable to continue with this role.

Mr Lewis stated that subject to his licence being granted today, he had been offered a job with Spa Taxis.  His convictions were in the past now and they had happened 40 years ago.  Mr Lewis said he had been clear from convictions since then and felt it would be unfair if his previous convictions were taken into consideration today.  He had cleaned up his act and had not been in any trouble since then.

Members asked the following questions:

• A Member advised Mr Lewis that despite his offences being in the past they were relevant and indicated a pattern of behaviour.  The Member asked Mr Lewis how he had changed and why the Committee should grant his licence today.
• Mr Lewis referred to his offence in 1999 and stated that this had occurred due to a dispute with his neighbour.  He said that his neighbour had been verbally abusing his wife and son and had made false allegations against his son resulting in his son being arrested.  Mr Lewis confronted his neighbour which turned into an argument which got out of hand.
• A Member asked if Mr Lewis had thought of other ways to deal with this incident.
• Mr Lewis said he had tried to speak to the neighbour about his 14 year old son being arrested but had seen a red mist.
• The Members referred to Mr Lewis seeing the red mist and advised him that there may be issues as a private hire driver and he may come across things like this, the Member asked how Mr Lewis would deal with these situations now.
• Mr Lewis said he had changed now and would walk away from any incidents and let the Police deal with them.  Mr Lewis referred to a previous conviction and said that he was a passenger in a car which the Police stopped as they thought the driver had been drinking.  Mr Lewis was arrested for arguing with the Police not his friend.
• The Member stated that these offences occurred when Mr Lewis became upset.
• Mr Lewis advised the Committee that his previous convictions were behind him now.
• When asked, Mr Lewis stated that he used to drive heavy vehicles in various different countries.  His job was as a professional driver and a mechanic and he also drove for school runs.
• A Member stated that it appeared Mr Lewis managed to deal with members of the public in his previous job in a good manner.

In summing up, Mr Lewis said he wanted to continue his working life and his previous heavy mechanic job was too much now.  Mr Lewis stated that he was unemployed at the moment and wanted the chance of a job and to be given this opportunity.

Members were advised they had the following recommendations;

1. Resolved that Mr Lewis application be granted as Mr Lewis is a fit and proper person.
2. Resolved that Mr Lewis application be refused on the grounds that Mr James is deemed not to be a fit and proper person.

Upon a vote it was (7 for, 0 against, 3 abstentions)

RESOLVED that Mr Lewis’ application be granted as Mr Lewis is a fit and proper person.