Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver's comments 'creepy' but not intended to cause harassment

A TAXI driver who left a female passenger feeling scared and uncomfortable by his ‘creepy’ questions has walked free from court after magistrates in Skipton found his actions had not been intentional.

The bench accepted that the woman, who works for Northern Trains, and who had been working at the time, had been frightened by the behaviour and comments of taxi driver Raja Ahmed as he drove her from Ilkley Railway Station to Skipton Railway Station in October last year. But magistrates after about an hour, found there had been no intent by Mr Ahmed, 24, and accepted the argument of his defence that there was no case to answer.

The charge therefore that he had intended to cause the woman harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, which he denied, was dismissed.

The 26-year old woman told the court on Friday how Mr Ahmed, who worked for a Shipley taxi firm, and who lives in Bradford, had during the 15 minute evening journey on October 6, 2021, asked her about her accent, how he liked it and had told her how she could ‘speak to him all night long’.

He also said he used to work as a doorman in Skipton, until he was sacked for fighting, and asked whether she lived alone like he did in Bradford and if she felt lonely at night.

The woman said Mr Ahmed had turned round to her while she was messaging her friend and said how all women were obsessed with social media and asked for her contact details.

When they arrived in Skipton she was unable to get out because the door of the taxi was locked and she had refused ‘three or four times’ to give him her Snapchat number.

The woman, who was messaging her friend throughout the journey so someone would know ‘if something happened’ said how it had not been ‘normal taxi chat’ and straight away she had felt scared and that his personal questioning was inappropriate and creepy.

“I felt it was inappropriate. I was in a locked space in the dark and I felt it was creepy,” she told the court.

The court had heard that in a statement to police, Mr Ahmed had said he would never use inappropriate behaviour towards a passenger, and that the doors of the taxi had not been locked.

Mazar Khan for Mr Ahmed, in cross examination of the woman, said none of his client’s comments were sexual and asked her if it was not the case that she had panicked for a reason ‘best-known to her’ and that she had over-reacted - of which she denied.

“He did not threaten me verbally, or physically, but I felt threatened. He was asking inappropriate, sexual questions,” she said.

Mr Khan said the woman had felt discomfort and that she believed his client’s comments were inappropriate, unpleasant and creepy.

But he said ‘every young man lacking in social skills, could be guilty of a crime’, and added: “There is no evidence of intent to cause harassment.”

The bench chairman said the woman had been a ‘good and credible witness’ but that the Crown had failed to prove that there had been intent.

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IDFIMH

why has this ended up in court ?

to me it is something for which you might be called up before the licensing committee but a mags court ?

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

Indeed, Edders, but since it was taken to court I'd be surprised if the licensing committee hasn't had his badge

I hope not this sounds to me like a few words of advice needed not strip the bloke of his livelihood

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

Pity there's nothing here about the licensing angle, but there must be repercussions in that regard if he's been taken to court, surely. But, yes, might have been better if it had gone no further than licensing for stuff like this. But, of course, in the wake of #MeToo, police and prosecutors often a tad over-zealous as regards pursuing cases like this.

Of course, he may have some sort of history with this kind of stuff, but never prosecuted, so that may have been a factor in taking him to court

Because someone f***ed up or was trying to make themselves look good.

After the prosecution concluded their evidence the defence stood up and made a 'no case to answer' argument.

The Bench retired and came back agreeing and dismissed the charges.

Delighted the driver's charges were dismissed, but I have to agree it shouldn't have made court.

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IDFIMH