A taxi driver has lost his licence after using his phone while driving a customer on the M25.

Sajid Mahmood, of Northridge Way in Hemel Hempstead, has had his private hire licence revoked by Three Rivers District Council after he was issued a fixed penalty notice from Surrey Police.

He had been stopped by officers for using his mobile phone while driving to Gatwick airport in the early morning on July 7, 2023.

Based on the conviction, which involved six penalty points and a £200 fine, the council revoked the licence “with immediate effect” a week later. However, it later received an appeal, which led to an hearing at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on February 12.

Delivering their decision, the magistrates said: “The law is clear and by using your mobile device whilst driving you have not only put yourself at risk but also members of the public, therefore we find you no longer fit and proper to be a licensed driver and uphold the decision of the licensing authority."

Mr Mahmood was also ordered to pay the local authority costs of £1,200. He will not be permitted to reapply for a licence for a minimum of four years.