A TAXI driver who lost his licence when his wife reported him to the police for drink-driving is back in business.

Brian Edward O'Neill, 36, was at Darlington Borough Council's licensing committee yesterday to apply for a Hackney carriage licence after completing his 12-month driving ban.

The committee heard that Mr O'Neill, of Harcourt Street, Darlington, had returned from drinking with friends when he got into an argument with his wife at their home, in August last year.

Mr O'Neill said his wife had gone into the garden and started throwing rocks at his taxi, a car he had worked hard to buy.

He said the rocks had dented the door and front wing, before his wife threatened to smash all the car windows, so he decided to move the car to a friend's house.

"I know I shouldn't have done it. It was a moment of madness," he said.

"But I had worked for six years for 1AB and finally I had managed to get my own car. All I wanted to do was move it and get it somewhere safe.

"But then my wife phoned the police on me and got me done for drink-driving.

"The court couldn't believe it. They had never known a situation like this before, but they had to ban me."

The council's licensing committee also heard about a speeding conviction Mr O'Neill had failed to inform them about.

In March 2001 he was fined £60 and given three penalty points after he was caught driving at 94mph on the A66 at Bowes Moor. The speed limit is 70mph.

Mr O'Neill said that because he was in a private car at the time he had not realised he should have informed the licensing committee.

Members agreed to grant him a licence but add a severe warning letter.