Taxi driver who raped teenage passenger keeps operator’s licence

A taxi driver who raped a teenage female passenger before leaving her in sub-zero temperatures has kept his licence to operate a taxi business following a vote by councillors.

David Brown, 50, of Croy, near Inverness, was jailed for six years and nine months in May following his attack on the 18-year-old in December 2023.

Highland licensing committee voted in private last week to allow a taxi operator’s licence to continue in his name despite objections from Police Scotland.

BBC Scotland News understands a member of his family requested that the licence continue.

Highland Council said the committee’s decision had since been referred to a future meeting of the full council for further consideration.

Brown picked up the woman who had been on a night out in Inverness and was wanting 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.

Jailing Brown at the High Court in Stirling last month, judge Lord Renucci told him he had forced the teenager to undergo a terrifying ordeal.

Brown was the holder of two taxi operator’s licences, according to papers for Highland Licensing Committee on 23 June, external.

Discussion on the licenses was held during a part of the meeting when the public is excluded.

Highland Council said it did not comment on individual licensing cases, especially those held in private.

But a spokeswoman added: “The licensing committee decision will now be referred to a future meeting of The Highland Council for further consideration.”

Police Scotland said: “We can confirm officers attended a Highland Council licensing committee meeting on Tuesday 23 June and submitted an objection.

“The decision on whether to grant a license is a matter for the council.”

The situation was first reported by the Inverness Courier, external.