A taxi company has been banned from operating in Three Rivers after breaking licensing rules.

Twelves, which used to be based in Rickmansworth, was employing unlicensed drivers and using inadequately insured vehicles to transport adults and children as part of its contractual work.

The company claimed the vehicles were ambulances in order to avoid complying with licensing requirements.

The council has now revoked the company’s operator licence “as a matter of public safety”.

Cllr Steve Drury, chairman of Three Rivers’ regulatory committee, said: "Three Rivers Council will take positive action against those who are found to be carrying members of the public in a manner which does not properly comply with our conditions and the legislation.

“The safety of the travelling public is our priority.”

It is the latest in a series of crackdowns on professional drivers in the Three Rivers area.

St Albans Magistrates Court rejected an appeal by Mr Choudhury, after the council refused his application to renew his private hire driving license.

The renewal was refused because he failed to disclose a caution on 1 October 2014 for battery.

Council spokesman Kevin Snow said: “Because this was an offence of violence within three years of the application, Three Rivers officers applied the council’s policy on convictions and refused the renewal.

“The court read evidence from Three Rivers officers about previous failures to disclose no insurance offences and a recent caution for failing to display plates and badge in December 2015.”

The court said the caution for battery, “with such an isolated incident of violence”, could have been mitigated.

But Mr Snow said: “Failing to disclose relevant convictions had happened on two previous occasions and the explanation of the appellant was so implausible as to be dishonest.”

A taxi driver was refused his license renewal after it came to light he had two speeding offences in December 2014, when he was disqualified for 56 days for doing 120mph in a 70 limit and 55 mph in a 30 limit area.

Ifzhal Sabir also failed to disclose a previous caution for touting in London.

Mr Sabir was ordered to pay £300 in costs to Three Rivers District Council.