TWO taxi drivers have lost their licences despite expensive legal battles to overturn a council’s decisions to strip them of their right to carry passengers.

Both appealed Hyndburn Council’s decision to first Blackburn magistrates and then Preston Crown Court but lost their bids to to overturn their disqualifications racking up hundreds of pounds in legal bills.

Khadam Hussain, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, had his private hire licence revoked by the judicial committee of Hyndburn Council on February 15, 2017, after a complaint from a passenger that he had overcharged for a journey to Manchester Airport.

Mohammed Awais, of Beech Street, Accrington, had his private hire driver’s licence revoked on June 28 for failing to declare recent motoring convictions within a seven-day time limit.

Mr Hussain lost both an appeal to Blackburn magistrates and a further appeal to a judge at Preston Crown Court. He was ordered to pay a total of £1,000 towards the legal costs of Hyndburn Council for the two court hearings.

He had been subject to several previous complaints from customers.

Mr Awais won his appeal to the magistrates but the council then took the case to Preston Crown Court which reversed that decision. He was ordered to pay £250 towards Hyndburn borough’s legal costs for the second hearing.

Cllr Gareth Molineux, Hyndburn’s cabinet member for licensing, said: “The safety and security of the travelling public is of paramount importance to us and the council has a duty of care to ensure that taxis and private hire vehicles are operated correctly and in line with the legal requirements.

“These two cases send a clear message the council has no hesitation in revoking or suspending licences of drivers found to be breaking the law or breaching licensing requirements.”

Cllr Tony Dobson, leader of Hyndburn’s Tory opposition group, said: “I am pleased to say the courts upheld the decision of Hyndburn council and its system for private hire vehicle driver licensing.”

Mr Awais had been given penalty points on his normal drivers licence including for for breaking the speed limit.

The total exceeded the number the committee would normally accept when issuing a private hire licence.