Taxi terror driver keeps his licence
Black cab driver Stuart Nevin Black cab driver Stuart Nevin
A taxi driver who reversed over an 80-year-old woman and drove off has been allowed to keep his licence.
Stuart Nevin ended up in court after pensioner Margaret Irving was dragged under his black cab while crossing the road in Stretford.
Mrs Irvin told Trafford magistrates she thought she was ‘going to die’ after her coat was caught in the vehicle and she was dragged across the road.
But Nevin, 48, of Canute Court, says he drove off because he did know he had hit Mrs Irvin.
Yesterday Nevin pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, leaving the scene of the accident in May and failing to report an accident
But he will be able to carry on working after magistrates gave him eight penalty points on his licence.
Defending Colin Buckle called for leniency as Nevin already has three points on his licence – and 12 points or more would have led to a ban.
The court heard Mrs Irvin was crossing the street with her friend Cameron Robinson, but stopped in the middle of the road to get her breath back.
Nevin was reversing out of Canute Court, but failed to spot the pair and ploughed straight into them, knocking Mrs Irvin to the ground.
The pensioner’s coat got stuck under the vehicle and she was dragged a short distance before Nevin drove off.
In a statement read out in court, she said: “I thought that was it. I thought I was going to die.”
Nevin told the court he wasn’t aware that he had hit anyone.
He heard a commotion behind him and saw Mrs Irvin lying in the road, but said he thought she had just slipped.
Several passers by stopped to help, while others chased after the cab, banged on the windows and took photos of Nevin.
But he told the court that it wasn’t unusual for people to take photos of his London-style black cab, especially visitors to nearby Old Trafford, so he didn’t think anything of it.
Prosecuting, Abigail Simpson said witness alleged Nevin had responded with a foul-mouthed tirade when confronted – a claim he strenuously denied.
He added: “I’m driving a marked vehicle and I’m a locally known driver. Why would I do that?
“I was just going to my mum’s to help her with her shopping.”
Mrs Irvin was taken to hospital suffering for shock, cuts and bruises. Mr Robinson escaped without injury.
Chairman of the bench Stephen Broadbent ordered Nevin to pay a £400 fine with £100 costs and gave him eight points on his driving licence.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... is-licence
