Taxi Driver Online

(Would have posted this in the other thread on this case, but it's gone a bit off topic, and in any case this is a verdict worth highlighting.)

Pair found guilty of manslaughter in Telford Go Carz driver death case

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/cri ... eath-case/

Two men who chased a taxi driver moments before he died when his car struck a tree have been found guilty of manslaughter

Telford Go Carz taxi driver Ishfaq Hussain, 51, suffered multiple injuries when his red Skoda struck a wall then a tree, killing him minutes after he was involved in two confrontations with John Cox and Brandon Dowen, in Madeley, on August 7 last year.

The victim, who had a heart condition, was punched and kicked during the incident by Dowen, 19.

Cox, 32, had denied pursuing Mr Hussain at speeds of more than 60mph along Ironbridge Road before the collision happened at about 10.30pm.

Jury

A jury at Stafford Crown Court unanimously found Cox guilty of manslaughter, but found Dowen guilty by a majority of 10 to two after three days of deliberations.

Judge Michael Chambers QC remanded both men immediately in custody after the verdicts were delivered.

“You have been convicted of what is clearly a serious matter that led to loss of life. I’m afraid you will immediately be placed in custody. You will be sentenced on Thursday and you are to be produced at court in person. The hearing will not be held via video link,” Judge Chambers told them.

He told the jury: “This is obviously a very serious case."

Directions

The court heard that the catalyst for the incident was when Mr Hussain stopped to ask Dowen’s girlfriend for directions shortly after 10pm that night.

The jury was told that she took it “the wrong way” and swore at Mr Hussain who was captured on CCTV talking to her, with the wheels of the taxi still turning.

When she was picked up minutes afterwards by the defendants she told them that an Asian driver had tried to chat her up.

The prosecution said the defendants then decided to find Mr Hussain to “teach him a lesson” in a joint enterprise.

Pursuit

By then Mr Hussain found his passenger and during the journey the Peugeot, belonging to Dowen’s mother, pulled alongside.

Front passenger Dowen swore at the taxi driver, who pulled over.

Cox then got out and kicked the taxi before pulling off the rear windscreen wiper.

A frightened Mr Hussain drove off, but was pursued at speeds in excess of 60 mph along Ironbridge Road.

Mr Hussain pulled over a second time and Dowen got out of the silver car, opened the taxi’s door and punched him several times in the face before kicking him.

Cox, of Harrowby Road, Wolverhampton, and Dowen, of Park Street, Madeley, Telford, denied manslaughter with Dowen claiming that the taxi man had grabbed him and he was acting in self-defence.

Well respected

DCI Steve Tonks, from West Mercia Police, paid tribute to Mr Hussain after today's verdicts.

He said: "Ishfaq Hussain was married with a family.

"He was a hard-working taxi driver who at the time of his death was doing his job to support his family.

"He was also a well respected man in the community."

Well done to the Jury.

From afar the live evidence from the defendant driver indicated a cock and bull story, and thankfully those in the court concurred.

I hope this brings a little relief to the licensed driver's family.

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IDFIMH

Six years each for men who caused death of Telford Go Carz driver

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/cri ... rz-driver/

Two men who chased a taxi resulting in the death of the driver have today both been locked up for six years.

Minutes before the fatal crash, Telford Go Carz driver Ishfaq Hussain, 51, was beaten up during a confrontation with John Cox and Brandon Dowen.

The pair pursued Mr Hussain, who had a heart condition, at speeds in excess of 60mph along Ironbridge Road, in Madeley, at about 10.30pm on August 7 last year over claims he had upset Dowen's girlfriend.

She had told Dowen and Bowen that an Asian driver had tried to chat her up, when Mr Hussain had actually asked her for directions.

Mr Hussain's car clipped the kerb before it veered from the road and struck a tree, killing him.

Taxi passenger Kallum Hislop was also injured, but survived.

Nineteen-year-old Dowen, of Park Street, Madeley, punched and kicked the taxi man. He was detained in a young offenders' institution for six years.

Cox, of Harrowby Road, Wolverhampton, was sentenced to six years in prison.

'Great fear'

Sentencing the pair, Judge Michael Chambers QC said both men shared culpability and that the incident could not have happened without each of them.

He said he was satisfied that their behaviour "put the victim in great fear" resulting in him losing control of the red Skoda.

"In any view, Mr Hussain's death was caused by your unlawful actions," he said.

"You Dowen punched and kicked him with over five times. Such was his fear of further violence he drove away at speed and within a very short distance he hit a tree and died of multiple injuries.

"Ishfaq Hussain was a hardworking family man as the victim impact statement from his son Ibrar read aloud in court states.

Liked and loved

"He speaks of a father and grandfather who has been lost and taken from his family. He lived a good industrious life and was clearly much liked and loved.

"Some years ago he had surgery for a heart condition which involved bypass surgery.

"He continued to suffer from cardiac dysrhythmia, but was able to live a full and active life.

"The medical evidence during the trial spoke of him being vulnerable to cardiac arrhythmia triggered by stress."

Judge Chambers said if was not possible to say whether it was the condition or the taxi driver simply losing control after hitting the speed hump that caused the collision.

Both defendants were convicted of Mr Hussain's manslaughter at Stafford Crown Court earlier this week.

They must serve half the terms before being released on licence.

Both were convicted of Mr Hussain's manslaughter at Stafford Crown Court earlier this week.

They must serve half the terms before being released on licence.

Protection

Local policing commander for Telford, Superintendent Tom Harding, said officers has been working with the council to keep taxi drivers protected.

He said: "First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Ishfaq Hussain's family at this very difficult time, we continue to offer our sincere condolences and I hope they can now find a way to rebuild their lives.

"This incident caused a considerable amount of concern in the community at the time and I'm pleased two men have now been found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Hussain and that they will spend a considerable amount of time in prison.

"This was a tragic incident that saw Mr Hussain attacked simply while doing his job, an attack that sadly resulted in his death.

"This is not acceptable and I will not tolerate attacks on taxi drivers happening in Telford.

"We have been working very closely with our colleagues at Telford & Wrekin Council to make sure taxi drivers are supported in their role, and have the relevant training to help prevent and detect crime, as well as ensure they do not become victims of crime themselves.

"As part of our work police will regularly stop and speak to taxi drivers, not only to make sure they have the necessary paperwork and check their vehicle is roadworthy but also to discuss any concerns they may have.

"I'm really proud of the diverse communities we have right across Telford and am proud of the great community cohesion we have where all of our communities live side by side harmoniously.

"I hope our local communities feel reassured by today's sentencing that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for violent crime are thoroughly investigated and held accountable for their actions and I'd like to thank the senior investigating officer in this case, DCI Steve Tonks, and his team, for their thorough investigation in bringing these men to justice."

Wondered why the BBC version headlined that the pair had been 'detained' for six years each, rather than the usual 'jailed'.

But as this article makes clear, the younger perp was sent to a young offenders' institution rather than a jail, so saying the pair had been 'jailed' wouldn't have been entirely accurate.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are not both out in two years though

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

They will do at least three years, less the time (if any) they did on remand.

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IDFIMH