Morecambe taxi driver who talked about rape accusations loses appeal

Robert Allman, 59, of Westgate Caravan Park in Morecambe, claimed he’d touched the woman on the forehead by accident but admitted talking about the rape accusations during a taxi journey.

The passenger made a complaint against Allman for inappropriate behaviour after the incidents during a pre-booked taxi ride on February 16.

The woman said he touched her forehead for five seconds and told her he had twice been accused of rape; once in the UK and the other on the Greek island of Zante.

Allman then had his license revoked in March. He appealed and appeared at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Magistrates, however, rejected his appeal and ordered him to pay £100 towards the council’s costs.

Councillor Margaret Pattison, chairman of the licensing regulatory committee, said: “A licence issued by the council to a taxi driver is in effect the council’s seal of approval that the holder is a fit and proper person to drive members of the public.

“Members of the public can be assured that the city council will do everything we can to maintain public safety and confidence in licensed drivers.”