Victor Whitham of Bishop’s Cleeve, Cheltenham, has been fined for operating private hire vehicles without the necessary license. On Monday, October 27, he pleaded guilty to conducting private hire bookings without a valid operator’s license.
The case arose after Spa-Tax Cheltenham, the private hire company in question, had its license suspended in October 2024 due to non-payment of Private Hire Operator (PHO) fees. Despite the suspension, Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) officers observed that Mr. Whitham continued to dispatch Cheltenham-licensed private hire vehicles illegally.
Although Mr. Whitham held a private hire operator license with Tewkesbury Borough Council, it did not authorize the operation of Cheltenham-licensed vehicles and drivers. This breach resulted in the magistrates imposing the maximum penalty: a £1,000 fine, a £400 victim surcharge, and £1,706.40 in legal costs, totaling £3,106.40.
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The prosecution was conducted by Cheltenham Borough Council’s licensing enforcement team, with support from One Legal — a shared legal service among Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council, and Tewkesbury Borough Council.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, emphasized CBC’s commitment to maintaining the safety and legality of taxi and private hire services in Cheltenham. She stated, “This successful prosecution sends a clear message that illegal activities will not be tolerated, and decisive action will be taken to protect residents and visitors alike. I thank our licensing team and One Legal for their diligent work in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”
Members of the public who have concerns about unlicensed taxis or private hire vehicles are encouraged to report them by emailing [email protected].