Taxi Driver Online

Taxi firm demands government review of CCTV rules after alleged sexual incident

https://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/taxi-fi ... ent-924873

A taxi company has called for the introduction of in-vehicle CCTV across the island's taxi fleet, saying current regulations have forced it to abandon plans to install the technology following an alleged incident that is now the subject of a police investigation.

Over the weekend, the Isle of Man Constabulary confirmed it had launched an investigation after a video circulating on social media appeared to show an alleged incident inside a taxi.

Police said they were aware of the footage and confirmed the matter was an 'active investigation', urging members of the public not to speculate or draw conclusions while inquiries continue.

On Monday morning, a man appeared before magistrates charged in connection with the alleged incident.

It is alleged that, while in his position of trust as a taxi driver, he requested that a lone female passenger perform sexual acts in exchange for free travel.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place on the A18 Mountain Road on June 27 and was allegedly recorded by the customer before being uploaded to social media.

Duty advocate Kaitlyn Shimmin successfully applied for the case to be adjourned until July 21 to allow the defendant to obtain further legal advice. Bail was granted.

In a public statement issued on Monday, Kirk Michael Taxis stressed that the driver charged is not connected with the company, but wanted to talk about CCTV following the ‘deeply upsetting footage’.

The firm said: 'We want to state categorically that the driver in question is not associated with our company in any way.

'As a Kirk Michael-based business, we operate with a small number of long-serving, deeply trusted professional drivers who are well-known within our community. We take our professionalism incredibly seriously, we are proud of the reputation our team has built, and we do not condone or tolerate behaviour of this nature.'

The company said the alleged incident demonstrated why internal CCTV should be installed in taxis, describing it as 'an essential tool to protect passengers, safeguard professional drivers, and ensure absolute accountability'.

However, it said existing Isle of Man data protection requirements make fitting CCTV 'completely overwhelming and cost-prohibitive' for small operators.

The company added: 'Public safety should never be sidelined by red tape.'

It is now calling on the Isle of Man Government and the Road Transport Licensing Committee to review the current requirements to make in-vehicle CCTV more accessible for independent taxi operators.

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IDFIMH

That's an interesting nuance in addition to the usual stuff about the basic cost of a system, and privacy issues etc.

And I think it's a load of old fanny.

Most cab firms already have data protection licenses, as do all installers.

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IDFIMH

Not clear precisely why the complainant here has withdrawn her allegation.

But, as narrated, what would the equivalent charge to this be on the mainland, if any?

'An act against public justice' reads like it could just about cover anything or any conduct that the authorities don't like


Complaint against taxi driver withdrawn

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of- ... withdrawn/

Alleged complainant no longer supports prosecution

A taxi driver accused of committing an act against public justice has had the case against him withdrawn.

Adrian Erive Santos, of Close Caarjys in Ramsey, appeared at Douglas Courthouse today (21 July).

The 45-year-old had been charged after reportedly asking his lone female customer to perform sexual acts on him in exchange for free travel.

Footage from the alleged exchange, on the Mountain Road on 27 June, was recorded and shared to social media.

However in an update provided to the court the prosecutor said, after repeated engagement with the police, the complainant was not supportive of a prosecution.

He said it was ‘evidently clear’ that the complainant was ‘vital’ for any prosecution and therefore he had ‘very little option’ but to ask for the matter to be withdrawn.

Withdrawing the matter, and releasing Mr Santos from his bail conditions, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood also awarded his costs.

...although slightly more about the precise charge in another source. But, again, quite a vague charge albeit a bit more specific here.

...also meant to post this last week, which is a good explanation of how complaints are dealt with from the licensing dimension while criminal investigations are taking place. Which indeed is pertinent to some of the ramblings from Highland Councillors reported in the press regarding the Inverness case

Of course, the Isle of Man is a completely separate legal jurisdiction, but pretty sure this is broadly similar to the UK situation:

It's more likely to be something like the Harassment, Alarm and Distress bits of the Public Order Act.

Imprisonable, but more likely a community order.

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IDFIMH