Successful prosecution of a private hire operator working without appropriate licence

Cheltenham Borough Council has successfully prosecuted an operator for carrying out private hire bookings without the necessary private hire operator’s licence.

On Monday 27 October 2025 Mr Victor Whitham of Bishop’s Cleeve, Cheltenham, entered a guilty plea for the offence of operating a private hire vehicle without private hire operator’s licence.

An investigation came after the private hire operators’ company, Spa-Tax Cheltenham, had their licence suspended for non-payment of their PHO fees in October 2024.

Following suspension of the licence, CBC officers continued to monitor the company and found that Mr Whitham was continuing to dispatch Cheltenham licensed private hire vehicles without a licence to do so.

Although Mr Whitham was licensed as a private hire operator with Tewkesbury Borough Council, this did not allow the Cheltenham licensed vehicles and drivers to work under this licence.

The magistrates awarded the maximum fine that they could of £1000, and he was also ordered to pay £400 victim surcharge and £1706.40 in costs. The total amount required to pay is £3106.40.

The case was led by Cheltenham Borough Council’s licensing enforcement officers and assisted by One Legal, a legal service shared by Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said:

“Cheltenham Borough Council is committed to ensuring the safety and legality of taxi and private hire services in our community.

“This successful prosecution sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activity in our town and will take decisive action to protect Cheltenham residents and our visitors.

“I would like to thank our Licensing team and One Legal for their diligent work in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”