Taxi Driver Online

Bogus cabbie sexually assaults two women: Silver car operating outside club


DON'T GO IT ALONE: Women are being warned to be on their guard while on nights out this Christmas and new year.
TWO women have been sexually assaulted after they were picked up by a bogus taxi driver outside the same nightclub.

Humberside Police are warning partygoers to be on their guard over the festive season after the women were assaulted by a man masquerading as a taxi driver outside Rumours nightclub.

DS Jonathan Jeffs said the attacks were being linked because of similarities in the ordeals experienced by the women.

He said: "The attacks happened on the same night, outside the same club. The description of the car is the same and the MO is the same. They are almost identical and the similarities would appear to be more than coincidence."

In the first attack, a 36–year–old woman had gone to Rumours with her partner but left alone, sometime after midnight.

As she was walking outside the club, in Trinity House Lane, in Hull's Old Town, a man driving a silver car drew up alongside her and asked her if she required a taxi.

The woman climbed into the front passenger seat but was subjected to an indecent assault by the driver before she dumped in a street away from the city centre.

In the second attack, a 20–year–old girl was also approached by the man in a silver car as she walked away from the nightclub. Once again, she was subjected to a sexual assault as she sat in the front passenger seat.

DS Jeffs said the younger woman wanted her ordeal to be used as a warning to other women to be on their guard for bogus taxi drivers on nights out over Christmas and New Year.

He said: "She is very distressed by it but, having said that, she is quite pragmatic from the point of view that she wants to prevent other people becoming victims as well."

Details of the attacks on the women in the early hours of November 21 have emerged as Humberside Police link up with Hull City and East Riding Councils to launch a campaign warning people to use licensed taxis to get home from nights out.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Vessey–Baitson, of Humberside Police's Public Protection Unit, said: "Bogus taxi offences are rare across Hull, but when incidents happen they can be very serious, sometimes leading to sexual assaults.

"This shows the dangers people face when entering unregistered taxis. The advice I would give to the public and specifically lone women is always try to catch taxis with friends as it is always safer to travel in groups."

Anyone with information on the bogus taxi driver, or who saw the women climb into the silver car, which may have been an MPV, should contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222, quoting log 292 of 21/11/10.

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

That's nearly a month before they have it in the papers, how many other opportunities has this perv had ffs

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Police warn party-goers over dangers of bogus taxi drivers during festive period

UNLICENSED: Women are being warned of the dangers of bogus taxi drivers.

SHE had gone dancing with friends but her Saturday night of fun ended in terror.

In the early hours of the morning, the 20-year-old woman climbed into the back of the silver car outside Rumours nightclub, believing it was a taxi.

Instead of taking her home, a man masquerading as a taxi driver sexually assaulted the young woman as she sat in the front passenger seat.

As the hunt continues for the attacker, believed to have attacked a 36-year-old woman in the same way on the same night as she left the same nightclub, women are being warned of the dangers of bogus taxi drivers as party-goers throughout Hull and the East Riding prepare for the festive season.

"Bogus taxi offences are rare across Hull, but when incidents happen they can be very serious, sometimes leading to sexual assaults," said Detective Chief Inspector Carl Vessey-Baitson, of Humberside Police's Public Protection Unit.

"This shows the dangers people face when entering unregistered taxis. The advice I would give to the public and specifically lone women is always try to catch taxis with friends as it is always safer to travel in groups.

"Always check the vehicle has a taxi registration plate on the back of the vehicle, check the taxi driver's identification badge which should be visible inside the taxi and, if you are suspicious, don't use the taxi.

"It is better to turn a taxi away rather than becoming a victim of a bogus taxi."

Hull City Council and East Riding Council are teaming up with Humberside Police to warn party- goers of the dangers of climbing into the passenger seats of bogus taxis where drivers have not been vetted by the authorities and may not be insured.

"If people use unlicensed drivers and vehicles they put themselves in danger of robbery, assault or even worse," said Keith Fenner, senior licensing officer of Hull City Council. "We have tried to make sure that people can easily recognise licensed taxis and taxi drivers to stay safe."

Over in the East Riding, random spot checks will be carried out to catch people operating taxis and private hire vehicles illegally, who will face prosecution.

But the council is urging people to take charge of their own safety by planning their journeys home before they go out for the evening.

"The council wants everyone to have fun and enjoy the festive season, but, above all, we want them to get home safely," said Councillor Jane Evison, the council's portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection.

"The danger to the travelling public is from a small element of unlicensed drivers who either hold no licence or attempt to accept passengers when they are not legally entitled.

"Getting into an unlicensed vehicle is essentially the same as taking a lift from a stranger.

"People should remember to stay safe, especially if they are under the influence of alcohol."

Each year during the festive season, East Riding Council's licensing team receives an increase in reports of bogus vehicles purporting to be legitimate taxi services.

Posters will be displayed in bars and clubs throughout the East Riding, warning revellers of the dangers of drinking too much and advising how they can have a fun night out and stay safe when travelling home.

"The Christmas period is one where many people who are not regular taxi users will be using taxis and private hire vehicles," said Paul Bellotti, the council's head of housing and public protection. "We would advise the public to always check that they are using a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle.

"The working relationship we have with the taxi and private hire trade is very positive and they do a great job, especially late at night, by getting people home quickly and safely at a time when no public transport is available.

"We are working with the trade to continue to show that the East Riding is a safe place to spend an evening."

Anyone with information on the attack on the young women in the early hours of Sunday, November 21 outside Rumours, in Hull city centre, is asked to call Humberside Police on 0845 6060222, quoting log 292 of 21/11/10.

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin