A TAXI driver with a criminal record has had his licence taken off him by the High Court.

Naveed Anwar was convicted of common assault in March 2009, after he attacked his wife, but failed to declare it when he renewed his taxi licence.

But the conviction was picked up by a Criminal Records Bureau check and licensing authority, Cherwell District Council, refused his application.

He appealed the decision to the council, but it was refused.

So Anwar took his case to North Oxfordshire Magistrates’ Court in January 2010, on the grounds refusing the licence meant he could not support his family, and won.

But the council took the case to London’s High Court.

Anwar was able to operate as a taxi driver until November 10 this year, when the High Court made its ruling and his licence was revoked.

Judge Neil Bidder handed down a judgment throwing out the decision.

He said: “They [North Oxfordshire Magistrates] took into account an irrelevant reason, which no reasonable court would have done.

“I cannot speculate on what their decision would have been absent of their taking into account the hardship issue. Had they not taken that into account, it is difficult to see that they could, while having proper regard to the council’s decision, have made the generous decision they did.”

It is the first time this situation has been tested at the High Court and it has now set a precedent.

Deputy council leader George Reynolds said: “We believe that if someone is willing to attack a member of their family, whom they are supposed to love and protect, they may have no qualms about assaulting a passenger should any trouble arise.”