Taxi Driver Online

Minicab tout jailed for dragging recruitment consultant to his death

Matab Uddin was found guilty of causing the death of Oliver Farrell through dangerous driving after he was found injured in north London
Jamie Bullen |

A convicted minicab tout has been jailed for eight years for dragging a top recruitment consultant 100 yards down a road to his death.

Matab Uddin, 59, was found guilty of death by dangerous driving after Oliver Farrell, 27, died three days after he was found injured in Essex Road.

Uddin, an unlicensed minicab driver with previous convictions for minicab touting, picked up Mr Farrell on Sunday, November 17 in 2013 as he made his way home to Old Street hours after celebrating his brother's birthday.

A short while later, Mr Farrell got out of the cab to use a cash machine, however Uddin drove off, leaving Mr Farrell in Essex Road.

CCTV showed Uddin pulled up next to Mr Farrell a few minutes later. As Mr Farrell leaned through the open passenger window Uddin drove away at speed, while the 27-year-old clung to the car.

After being carried along for about 100 yards, he lost his grip and fell to the ground, suffering a fatal head injury. He was found by police in the road and taken to the Royal Free Hospital where he died three days later.

Uddin failed to stop at the scene but the incident was witnessed by a taxi driver, driving behind Uddin, who took down his registration number.

Mr Farrell's brother Ben said the family would continue to seek justice by clamping down on unlicenced drivers.

He said: "Having to experience nearly two years to arrive at this position has been a hugely traumatic and terrible experience for us all, however it is incomparable to the pain we have felt and will continue to feel from the fact that Oli's future has been taken from him and that such a bright light in our own lives will never be with us again.

"No punishment will ever bring Oli back, however we seek justice for the benefit of greater society to reduce the chances of other families having to experience what we have been through and will continue to go through. Oli was a fair man and would want nothing more and nothing less than this.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the police and those present here today for the compassion they have shown us."

Detective Sergeant Chris Osborne of the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the Mr Farrell's family, who have retained the utmost dignity throughout the whole investigation and court case. My thoughts remain with them."

"This case highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed minicabs. People trying to make their way home, especially late at night should only use pre-booked licensed minicabs or black cabs.

"This is a tragic case for all involved and it stemmed from the unscrupulous actions of Mr Uddin. Our investigation showed he was illegally touting and on this occasion drove off without any regard for Mr Farrell's safety. He then failed to stop and made clear attempts to flee the scene."

source: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/mi ... 99826.html

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