Taxi driver loses licence over ‘inappropriate’ behaviour towards female passenger

A Huntingdonshire taxi driver has had his licence taking away for inappropriate behaviour towards a lone female passenger.

Aurel Tirnavean, 27, who lives in Chatteris and drove a taxi in Huntingdonshire, initially had his licence revoked by Huntingdonshire District Council and then lost an appeal over the decision.

Chris Stopford, the council’s head of community, said “The Council understands the importance of its responsibilities for licensing Hackney carriage and private hire drivers.

“Where information is presented to the Council that brings into question whether drivers are ‘fit and proper’, we will take action to protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors who rely on local taxi services.”

Tirnavean was accused of behaving and speaking inappropriately to the female passenger who was travelling in his taxi in the early hours of September 2 last year.

He appeared before the council’s Licensing Sub-committee in November and the panel voted unanimously to revoke his taxi licence after hearing the evidence against him.

Tirnavean appealed against the decision and the case was referred to Peterborough Magistrates’ Court where the council’s decision was upheld.