Taxi driver 'caught short' gets to keep licence

The taxi driver said his health condition caused him to use the toilet more frequently

A taxi driver caught urinating in the middle of a street has been given a warning after claiming a health condition caused him to do it.

The Middlesbrough-based taxi driver was at risk of having his licence revoked after being caught short on Stockton High Street at about 03:52 GMT on 7 November 2024.

CCTV footage captured the man urinating at the side of a private hire vehicle.

The taxi driver, who has been licenced with Middlesbrough Council since 2017, told its licensing committee his type-two diabetes made him need the toilet frequently.

The council heard how the taxi driver had already paid a fine to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council prior to the meeting of the licensing committee, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But the 7 November incident, which Stockton's Trading Standards team alerted the Middlesbrough committee to, is said to have raised concerns "regarding his suitability as a licensed driver".

The taxi driver said it was "an emergency situation".

The committee agreed he could retain his private hire vehicle driver licence but would receive a warning regarding his future conduct.

He was reminded of the council's code of conduct for taxi drivers, which includes the expectation that drivers will not urinate in public.

The committee said it believed a warning "was appropriate to educate the driver that this behaviour would not be tolerated".