Christmas shopping trip ruined after minicab driver 'disappears with boot full of presents'A group of nurses were enjoying a short break in Liverpool when the private-hire driver allegedly drove off with their newly bought gifts
The colleagues were enjoying a break in Liverpool when the private-hire driver disappeared with their newly bought gifts - and the cab firm later said the boot was empty.
The group, who were on their way to catch trains home at Lime Street train station, have reported the presents as stolen to the police .
Katrina, from Dumfriesshire in Scotland, told the Liverpool Echo : “We had all been in Liverpool for a few days, staying at the Travelodge on Exchange Street. We booked cars to take us to Lime Street on Saturday evening.
"Ours dropped us off fine, but I noticed that the driver did not say a word, which I thought that was strange.
“My friends Sonia, Julie and her partner David were in the second car.
"They paid the driver and then walked up the steps into the station. Halfway up they realised all their Christmas shopping was in the boot, but it was too late. The driver had gone.”
Katrina quickly phoned Alpha, the firm through which the group say they booked the taxi.
But she said: “I must say I thought they were very unhelpful. They had asked me to call back in a few minutes. They then said they had checked with the drivers and the boot was empty.”
She added: “I just hope the police check the CCTV from the hotel, which shows all the shopping being put in the boot of the private hire car.
“My friends were really upset. Julie’s partner David is diabetic and his insulin was in the suitcase. Fortunately he found a spare insulin pen in his jacket.
“But Julie had spent a lot of money in Hugo Boss and other shops. And Sonia had her Christmas shopping on the boot too.
"They were really upset.”
Katrina said: “We then missed our train. We managed to get to Preston, and then my husband agreed to drive down from Scotland and take Julie, David and I home. The rest had to get a train to Bolton and stayed the night there.
“This incident spoiled our trip. We have been to Liverpool a few times now, but I don’t think we will come back. I think this sort of thing is bad for Liverpool’s reputation as a destination.”
Alpha declined to comment.
A Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed the force was investigating reports of the theft of a bag at Lime Street station at 7.45pm on Saturday night.
Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
source:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ch ... er-9485029
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