A CABBIE faces losing his licence after being convicted of assaulting another taxi driver.

George Jenkinson, who has been a taxi driver for 34 years, could lose his hackney licence after being convicted by magistrates of common assault and criminal damage.

The 55-year-old, of Minors Crescent, Darlington, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 court costs and £15 compensation to Paul Hilton, who said Mr Jenkinson had assaulted him following a row over queue-jumping on a Darlington taxi rank.

Mr Jenkinson, who had denied the charge, told The Northern Echo: "I have never heard of any taxi driver taking another one to court - I reckon this has made taxi history."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "Any driver who commits an offence has to fill in a form and notify us of the offence.

"We ask them to appear before the licensing committee to give an explanation. There are several options the licensing committee can take, including revoking the licence."

Mr Jenkinson defeated the council in court earlier this year after it ruled his taxi was not the correct shade of red. He claimed he was being discriminated against by the council, which had brought in legislation stating that taxis that were not bright red would not be granted licences.