Court sides with council revoking Banbury taxi driver’s licence
09/07/2025
The driver was found to have been unprofessional and breached his licensing conditions
A decision to strip a Banbury driver of his taxi licence following reports of inappropriate behaviour towards a vulnerable female passenger has been upheld at Oxford Magistrates Court.
Cherwell District Council revoked Mohammed Shahzad’s licence on July 4 last year after receiving reports of the behaviour experienced by the passenger, who had booked a five-minute ride in his car.
Forty-six year old Shahzad, who lives in Evenlode, appealed the decision, but at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 7) the court agreed with the council and found his behaviour unprofessional and a breach of his licensing conditions.
Shahzad was ordered to pay a portion of the council’s costs in bringing the case to court.
Councillor Rob Parkinson, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, said: “Taxis are a key service for Cherwell residents, allowing them to get to work, the shops, or to attend vital appointments. We work hard to give residents the confidence to travel by taxi and this includes strictly upholding the conditions attached to drivers’ licences.
“This not only requires them to be fit and proper licence holders but comes with additional safeguarding training and responsibilities. This was a rare but serious breach of those driver responsibilities, and I am glad that we acted swiftly to remove Mr Shahzad’s licence to protect the public.
“I welcome the magistrate’s decision this week and I hope it gives passengers the reassurance that the licensing authority takes their safety and comfort very seriously.”
Before being granted a licence, taxi drivers have to pass an enhanced DBS check and take disability awareness and safeguarding training.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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