Rapist taxi driver who was allowed to keep operator's licence to appeal against conviction and sentence

A rapist taxi driver who was allowed to keep his operator's licence despite being locked up for attacking a teenage passenger intends to appeal against his conviction and sentence.

David Brown, 50, was jailed for six years and nine months in May after preying on an 18-year-old girl in December 2023.

The 50-year-old picked up the teen after she had been on a night out in Inverness and wanted to return to her home in the Highlands.

Instead of driving her safely home, he parked up at a spot between the village of Strathpeffer and Dingwall town and seriously sexually assaulted her.

He then dumped his victim in sub-zero temperatures in Dingwall.

Brown, of Croy near Inverness, was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh in April and sentenced the following month at the High Court in Stirling.

Although his taxi driver's licence was suspended in January 2024 after the allegations came to light, his case has made headlines in recent weeks after it emerged Highland Council's licensing committee last month voted to allow his separate operator's licence to continue.

Police Scotland objected to it being continued, while Brown's wife told the meeting she had been earning a living by carrying on the taxi business under the operator's licence - which reportedly had six months to run, after which she could renew it in her own name.

Six male councillors on the committee voted to allow Brown's operator's licence to continue, while four female councillors voted against it.

The decision sparked a public outcry, which has led to resignations and political parties taking action against their councillors.

On Monday, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) confirmed it had received an intimation of intention to appeal (IIA) letter against Brown's conviction and sentence.

The note of appeal is due to be submitted by 21 July.

Sean Kennedy, John Grafton, Duncan Macpherson, Willie MacKay, Chris Birt and Ruraidh Stewart were the councillors who voted for the operator's licence to continue.

Mr Kennedy, Mr Grafton, Mr Macpherson and Mr MacKay have since resigned from the committee and board.

Mr MacKay also resigned as a councillor, Mr Grafton was expelled by the Highland Liberal Democrats group, and Dr Birt was suspended by his SNP group.

Before his suspension, Dr Birt told Sky News he stood by his decision as it would allow Brown's wife to continue earning her keep as a taxi driver.

With Brown currently in jail, Dr Birt said: "I stand by that decision, as it was lawful, ensured public safety, and was just."

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

A petition calling for the licence to be revoked has garnered almost 6,000 signatures.

Highland Council said the committee's decision to allow the licence to continue - which was discussed in private - has now been referred to a future meeting of the full council for further consideration.

(c) Sky News 2026: Rapist taxi driver who was allowed to keep operator's licence to appeal against convict