Middlesbrough Denies Taxi Licence Due to Immigration Conviction

Middlesbrough Council has denied a man’s application for a taxi licence due to a previous criminal conviction involving immigration offences. The applicant, who was convicted in 2013, had assisted his brother in unlawfully staying in the UK. The man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for conspiring to assist unlawful immigration into an EU member state.

Details of the Conviction

According to the council’s licensing committee meeting minutes, the applicant allowed his brother to live in a flat he owned, where the brother paid rent. He also permitted his brother to work in his business despite knowing that his brother was in the UK illegally and had false documents. The man admitted to lying to immigration officers and in court about his brother’s immigration status.

Council’s Decision

Despite the applicant's claims of ignorance regarding his brother's immigration status, the council deemed his actions as serious dishonesty. As a result, the committee decided that the applicant was unfit to hold a taxi licence.

Appeal Process

The decision can be appealed in the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of the council’s ruling.