Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver tells of his ‘racism nightmare’

A TAXI driver is calling for cabs to have cameras fitted after being subjected to an allegation of racism. Patrick Owens said he was locked in a cell for a night then spent two months waiting for a court trial to start before being told the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was dropping the case.

He also had to fight to keep his taxi licence and said he had to sell his car during the “nightmare” ordeal that started when a woman claimed he had shouted racist abuse out of his window. The 44-year-old now wants to see cameras installed in all taxis to protect drivers and passengers.

Dad-of-six Patrick, of Kipling Road, Hartlepool, said: “People can claim anything and it’s hard to defend it. This was malicious and there was no way I could prove it didn’t happen, I just had my word.

“I’ve never been in trouble in my life and have a clean driving licence. Why would I do this? I know ethnic drivers and some have even written letters to back me up.

“There needs to be cameras in vehicles to stop this kind of thing happening. Luckily they have dropped the charges and this is being put to bed, but what if it had carried on? It would be my word against someone else’s.”

Patrick was arrested at 9pm on March 14 after being accused of shouting abuse at a child on February 24. He was taken to Hartlepool’s Avenue Road police station where he was questioned and spent time in a cell before being bailed at 4am the next morning after being charged with using threatening or abusive words and racial abuse.

He was working with Hudsons Taxis at the time and says he had to sell his car back to the company because he didn’t want to “drag them down” with him. His hackney carriage licence was also automatically suspended but he appealed at the cost of £200 to Hartlepool Borough Council and was able to carry on driving with Streamline until his court appearance.

That was listed for June 2 but the CPS wrote to him last week. A CPS spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that no further action is being taken against Mr Owens, and he has been sent a letter informing him of that.”

Patrick’s wife, Abigail, 36, has supported her husband throughout the difficult time. She said: “Patrick is a good man, he has given woman who have been attacked lifts, he has helped older people get their shopping home, this is not what he does.

“Everyone has been totally behind him, from the Hudsons and Streamline taxi firms to Hartlepool Borough Council. They have all supported him and we can’t thank them enough.”

_________________
IDFIMH

Wonder what all that means?