Cheltenham Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a private hire operator who continued running services in the town without a valid licence.
On Monday 27 October 2025, Mr Victor Whitham, of Bishop’s Cleeve, pleaded guilty to operating a private hire vehicle without the required Cheltenham operator’s licence. The case was heard at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court.
An investigation was launched after Spa-Tax Cheltenham had its operator’s licence suspended in October 2024 for non-payment of fees. Despite the suspension, council licensing officers found that Mr Whitham continued to dispatch Cheltenham-licensed vehicles.
Although he held a private hire operator licence with Tewkesbury Borough Council, this did not permit him to use Cheltenham-licensed vehicles and drivers under that authority.
Magistrates imposed the maximum fine of £1,000, along with a £400 victim surcharge and £1,706.40 in costs, bringing the total to £3,106.40.
The case was led by Cheltenham Borough Council’s licensing enforcement team, assisted by One Legal – a shared legal service for Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury councils.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said the outcome reinforces the council’s commitment to upholding legal and safe taxi services.
“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,” she said.
“I would like to thank our Licensing team and One Legal for their diligent work in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”
Residents who have concerns about unlicensed taxi or private hire activity can report them by emailing licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk.