Backlash after council allows convicted rapist to continue his taxi business

A councilor has defended his decision to allow a convicted rapist to keep his taxi operator licence, as the Scottish council comes under increasing pressure over the controversial decision.

David Brown, 50, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison in May for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman after entering her car as a passenger.

Four councilors have resigned from Highland Council and a fifth has been suspended from the SNP after it was revealed that six male councilors had voted to retain the operator’s licence.

Four female councilors on the licensing committee voted against it.

Thousands of signatures have been collected on a petition calling for the city to revoke its license immediately. The decision will be presented to the full council on a date yet to be determined.

Following criticism of the decision, chairman Sean Kennedy resigned from the committee, along with John Grafton, Duncan Macpherson and Willie MacKay.

Independent councilor MacKay also resigned as a councillor, while Grafton was sacked by the Scottish Liberal Democrat group on the Highland Council. The SNP also sacked fifth councilor Chris Birt, who voted to take no action on Brown’s licence.

In the comments IndependentMr Birt said he voted to revoke his taxi driver’s license but allowed Brown’s wife to keep her operator’s license so she could continue driving.

He said: “The committee was also presented with the file of a taxi driver who had a personal taxi driver’s license and an operating license, but this taxi driver was in prison and was convicted of rape, which is a very serious crime. His wife, who had been driving a taxi according to her operator’s license, which lasted six months, and was then able to renew it in her name, was also present.”

He added: “Applying my criteria set out above, it seemed to me the fairest course of action to allow the operator’s license to continue for the last six months – allowing the woman to continue to support herself without presenting any additional danger to the public.

“I stand by this decision because it is legal, ensures public safety, and is fair. I know some of my colleagues on the committee feel similarly, but they can speak for themselves. Others disagreed, which is, of course, their right.”

“I must emphasize that I am as disgusted as anyone by the crimes of this criminal taxi driver and am completely appalled by all his sex crimes.

“But on an emotional level, these issues have nothing to do with our vote to protect the criminal’s wife and husband from punishment, which would prevent him from earning a living for the next six months until his business license expires (which he can renew in his name).”

The hearing at the High Court in Stirling heard Brown picked up the 18-year-old in December 2023 and would take her from a night out in Inverness to the Highland village.

But the man parked in a remote location near a farm and sexually assaulted her before leaving her in sub-zero temperatures.

He denied rape and insisted it was consensual sexual intercourse, but was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial.

Rape and Sexual Exploitation Service Highland (RASASH) and Rape Crisis Scotland condemned the committee’s decision.

RASASH chief executive Romy Rehfeld said: “The lack of transparency about why this decision was taken has led to women and girls feeling less safe – especially considering taxis are something women are actively told to use to keep themselves safe at night.

“Whatever the justification, the decision to maintain the license to operate of a convicted rapist who used his profession to attack a young girl sends a clear message that other interests are deemed more important than the interests of survivors and undermines public confidence that institutions will make decisions that prioritize the safety of women and girls.

“Acts of sexual violence rarely have a single victim. They cause great harm to individuals, families and the wider community.

“It is crucial that more men play a role in tackling gender-based violence, including holding perpetrators to account and understanding the wider impact of such a decision.”