A taxi driver lost an appeal to keep his licence after the council discovered he had failed to disclose his previous convictions.

Mohammed Khan from Gladstone Road in Watford appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court in August to contest Three Rivers District Council’s refusal to grant him a private hire driver’s licence.

Mr Khan was denied because the council said he had hidden his previous convictions and was not a “fit and proper person” to hold a private hire licence.

The court upheld the council’s decision, stating: “Mr Khan should have fully disclosed his pre-cons and the decision to refuse the licence was not wrong.”

Mr Khan was ordered to pay £200 in court costs.

Leader member for licensing, Cllr Steve Drury, said: “We want the vehicles in our area to be road worthy and have the right licences for their trade.

“This enables us to deliver an excellent and safe service for all our residents. We want our officers to be vigilant and ensure standards are being met.”

Steven Halls, chief executive, added: “We have given our compliance officers more powers to clamp down on illegal activity and take action against unsafe and unlicensed vehicles. We shall always take action against drivers breaking the rules.”

Licensing officers from Three Rivers found 19 breaches of vehicle and driving licence compliance during a recent inspection.