The report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Hearing Panel considered the content of the report and the written and oral representations made by the Licensing Unit officer and GAPT who attended with their spouse.

The Licensing Unit officer addressed the Hearing Panel, stating that GAPT had previously held a licence from 2014 to 2017 and had a renewal refused in 2018. GAPT had convictions for:

1. Failing to surrender to custody.

2. Conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property.

3. Commit act/series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice.

GAPT also had records showings different dates of birth and places of birth. There had been no other convictions since.

GAPT addressed the Hearing Panel and stated that they had arrived in the UK in 2004, started work and would send money back to his sister. GPAT was now married and settled into family life. GPAT was not aware that the previous convictions would cause any trouble with their application process. GAPT recounted a day where they were surprised to find police at the house. GAPT had moved to the UK, applied for a licence and their previous activities were behind them now with no further problems or police involvement. Taxi work was the best for GAPT due to having 6 children and a spouse who work in the NHS. GAPT admitted being naïve when they first arrived in the UK and stated that they had travelled a lot prior to arrival.

In responding to questions from the Licensing Unit officer and Hearing Panel, GAPT stated that they arrived in 2002, that they had to leave their country of birth illegally and dates and places of birth had been misconstrued by authorities due to poor English speaking skills, that they admit to previously providing false details for fear of being sent back home, that they had never seen the DBS report to refer to on their application, that they did not know where the date of birth stating 1980 came about, that they did know they had to report to a police station every day and missed two occasions and that, since marrying and becoming a parent GAPT had changed their character and reformed greatly.

The Licensing Unit officer had nothing to add when invited to sum up.

GAPT’s spouse addressed the Hearing Panel to sum up, stating that they met GAPT 18 years ago and they had been very supportive. GAPT always assisted with the children and their school placements and when they drove taxis previously it was a great help for the whole family. GAPT had not declared conviction from the DBS record as they had never had sight of a copy. When the police came to the house looking for GAPT they had come home straight away. 14 years later, GAPT had served their sentence and learned from that experience.

In their deliberations, the Hearing Panel noted that GAPT had some serious convictions on record but considered that they were in the past and that they had reformed their character and served their time. The Hearing Panel considered GAPT to be a fit and proper person and the offences were also outside of the guidelines.

Decision

To grant GAPT with a licence.