Allowing rapist taxi driver to keep operator’s licence is ‘harmful message’

Brown picked up the 18-year-old woman who had been on a night out in Inverness and wanted to go back to her Highland village.

Instead he drove past her destination before pulling into a lay-by near a farm, somewhere between Strathpeffer and Dingwall, and sexually assaulting her.

He then left her in Dingwall in sub-zero temperatures.

Brown had denied the charge of rape and claimed he had a consensual sexual encounter, but was found guilty after a three-day trial in Edinburgh in April.

Brown’s taxi driver’s licence – which allows him to drive a taxi – was suspended in January 2024 after details of his offences emerged.

His separate taxi operator’s licence – which authorises him to run the business – went before Highland licencing committee for review on 23 June.

An operator’s licence is not transferable and can be granted for up to three years.

BBC Scotland News understands that a member of Brown’s family requested that it be allowed to continue.

The council committee voted to take no action. Other options were to suspend or revoke the licence.

Rules under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 mean councillors are not allowed to comment publicly on matters dealt with in private.

But John Grafton, one of the committee members, told BBC Scotland News he made his decision based on what was presented to the committee.

He added: “Unfortunately, I cannot say any more. I am happy to answer people’s questions when it becomes not private.”