TWO taxi drivers operating in Torfaen have had their licences refused, while a Blaenavon man posing as taxi driver has been fined.

Licensed taxi driver Nicky James, 40, of Hillcrest, Garndiffaith, was found to be acting in an inappropriate manner towards female customers.

The decision was made by the licensing panel to revoke Mr James taxi drivers licence and he was deemed to not be a fit and proper person to hold this licence.

Mr James appealed the decision at Caerphilly Magistrates Court on June 25, 2015 but it was unsuccessful.

Hameed Asghar, 47, of Eton Road, Newport, unsuccessfully appealed against the licensing panel’s decision to refuse to issue a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver’s licence at Newport Crown Court on April 15.

The licensing panel had made the decision that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to be granted this licence.

“Torfaen’s Licensing Section takes a very serious view of unlicensed taxis,” said a Torfaen council spokesman.

“All vehicles are tested to a higher standard than a normal MOT to ensure the vehicle is safe to carry the public; all drivers are medically checked and have enhanced disclosure and barring checks to ensure they are fit and proper to be a taxi driver.”

On April 18, Alwyn Mark Jeremiah, 42, of Capel Newydd Avenue, Blaenavon appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, pleading guilty to acting as an illegal taxi driver, using a Motability vehicle as an unlicensed taxi and accepting taxi bookings without having the relevant licence.

Mr Jeremiah was fined £300 for each offence culminating in a fine amount of £900 and was ordered to pay costs to the Local Authority of £522.

The council spokesman added: “When booking a taxi, please make sure it is a licensed vehicle.

"All taxis have signs on the side of their vehicle giving the licence number, a plate on the back of the vehicle and a small tax disc sized window licence in the front of the vehicle. A licensed driver must wear the drivers badge issued by the council which you are entitled to see.”

Anyone with concerns relating to unlicensed vehicles and drivers should contact the Licensing Section on 01633 647286 or licensing@torfaen.gov.uk