A MINICAB driver has been stripped of his permit after an "extremely concerning" incident in which he tried to coax a teenager into his car.

The motorist's private hire licence was revoked by councillors behind closed doors on Wednesday January 13 after they heard details of the misconduct.

"The incident related to the driver stopping a 16-year-old boy and offering him a lift without payment and this was extremely concerning," a report of the meeting said.

It continued: "The driver admitted trying to give the young person a free lift but denied any wrongdoing.

"The driver’s explanation of wanting to ask the complainant about a college course was not found to be credible.

"He explained that he thought the complainant was a similar age or a student, which was not found credible."

Bolton Council's licensing sub-committee was told the 16-year-old victim and his parents had "expressed concern" at the driver's behaviour.

The boy thought it was inappropriate to be offered a lift without having booked the minicab first and was aware he should not get into strangers' cars.

He said he felt "uneasy" about being approached at the roadside.

Greater Manchester Police had told the committee the cabbie "had been stopped and warned about driving around and trying to pick up young people in relation to this case".

The sub-committee decided after weighing up the evidence to quash the private hire vehicle licence of the driver, who was present at the hearing with a solicitor and an interpreter.

Minutes of the meeting say: "The sub-committee is not satisfied that the driver is a fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time.

"In coming to its decision, the sub-committee is mindful of its duty to protect the public and noted that there had been an allegation of inappropriate behaviour towards a young person."

No details of the driver, including his name, age, native language, car or company he worked for, have been divulged by the council for data protection reasons.

Bolton Council refused to comment further and Greater Manchester Police said it could find no record of an incident matching the description.