Taxi Driver Online

First below is the official PSNI news release, which isn't particularly remarkable, apart from the firearm, obviously

Second is an article about the court appearance, with a wee twist about the trip being a 2am freebie , but the worrying bit is how the driver attracted the attention of police


Man arrested after Belfast taxi driver threatened with firearm

https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/ ... ed-firearm

A 36 year old man has been arrested after a taxi driver was threatened with a firearm in Belfast during the early hours of this morning, Thursday 17 November.

The taxi driver picked up a man in the Albertbridge Road area shortly after 2am. As the vehicle travelled through the city, the driver was threatened with a handgun and ordered to handover money. The driver was able to alert a police patrol on Ormeau Avenue and when police approached the vehicle, the man fled. He was pursued on foot by an officer who also had the gun pointed at him during the chase.

After briefly losing sight of the suspect, officers arrested a man they located hiding in a garden in nearby Maryville Street a short time later. He remains in police custody this morning.

The firearm has been seized by police and will be subject to examination.

Investigating officers would like to hear from any witnesses or anyone who may have captured footage in the relevant areas between 2am and 2.30am this morning. The number to call is 101, quoting reference 146 17/11/22.

Information can also be provided via the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/

Court hears Belfast taxi driver threatened at gunpoint by passenger he had agreed to take free of charge

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern ... e-2910427/

A BELFAST taxi driver was threatened at gunpoint by a passenger he had agreed to take free of charge, a court heard yesterday.

The would-be robber also pointed the suspected pistol at a police officer during a pursuit on Thursday.

Stephen Dingwall (36) of Lichfield Avenue, Belfast appeared in court charged with attempted robbery, possessing an imitation handgun with intent to cause fear of violence, carrying and making use of a firearm to resist arrest and assault on police.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard the taxi was flagged down on Albertbridge Road around 2am by a man requesting a lift to a nearby train station, but stated he had no money.

The driver agreed to charge no fare, but when they arrived at the destination, the man allegedly produced a gun and demanded his cash, stating he wanted it to buy cigarettes.

The victim agreed to take him to make a purchase, drove to Ormeau Avenue and pulled up behind a PSNI patrol car where he shouted his passenger had a gun.

It was claimed Dingwall got out of the taxi and fled towards Maryville Street as a policeman gave chase. He allegedly produced the firearm, pointed it at the officer, ignoring requests to drop the weapon.

Dingwall was located by police in a nearby garden and limb restraints were applied when he allegedly kicked out.

The court heard Dingwall asked police: "When am I getting my gun back?"

Opposing bail, a detective said Dingwell had caused "significant distress" to the taxi driver and officer, but a defence solicitor argued the accused should be released amid issues with the evidence against him.

District Judge Alan White refused bail and remanded Dingwall in custody until December 16.

Not sure what I'd do in such circumstances

Very high risk course of action, I'd say. Of course, looks like it was actually an imitation firearm, but presumably the driver wouldn't have known that.

But looks like all's well that ends well. For the driver at least, but not one he'll ever forget, to put it mildly

Why would you take a lone male anywhere for free?

But he did the right thing once he saw the police officers.

_________________
IDFIMH

Man accused of holding Belfast taxi driver and PSNI officer at gunpoint with imitation firearm ‘could have been shot’, court hears

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news ... 67726.html

A man who allegedly threatened a Belfast taxi driver at gunpoint could have been shot when he advanced towards police, the High Court heard today.

Prosecutors claimed Stephen Dingwall, 36, put himself and any onlookers in danger after being chased through the city centre last week.

Refusing bail to the accused, a judge indicated that the PSNI officer involved in the pursuit should be congratulated for showing restraint.

Dingwall, of Lichfield Avenue in Belfast, is charged with attempted robbery and possessing an imitation handgun with intent to cause fear of violence.

He faces further counts of carrying and making use of a firearm to resist arrest, and assault on police in connection with an incident in the early hours of November 17.

Crown lawyer Mark O’Connor alleged that Dingwall flagged down a taxi on the Albertbridge Road, requested a lift to a nearby train station but stated that he had no money.

The driver agreed to charge no fare and drove him to the destination.

It was claimed that the defendant then produced a gun from his jacket and demanded all the victim’s cash, stating he wanted it to buy cigarettes.

But when the driver pulled up behind a PSNI patrol car on Ormeau Avenue and shouted that his passenger had a gun, Dingwall allegedly got out of the taxi and fled towards Maryville Street.

“While police pursued him on foot, he produced a firearm and pointed it at a constable,” Mr O’Connor said.

Dingwall was subsequently located in a nearby garden but refused to follow instructions when police issued instructions at gunpoint, the court heard.

Containment spray was used and limb restraints applied after he allegedly kicked out at an officer.

Opposing bail, Mr O’Connor claimed the accused had pointed a suspected firearm at both the taxi driver and police.

“Mr Dingwall could have been shot as the officer did not know if it was real or not,” the prosecutor contended.

“When challenged at gunpoint he refused to comply and advanced towards police, again placing him at risk of being shot and the surrounding public in danger.”

Defence barrister Conn O’Neill stressed that the allegations related to an imitation gun.

But Mr Justice Rooney responded: “The taxi driver and the police officer didn’t know that; they must have been terrified.”

He posed a question about congratulating the restraint of a policeman faced with an individual on the street with a weapon.

Mr O’Neill acknowledged: “(But for) the bravery of the officer… we may be dealing with a much more solemn outcome.”

Bail was denied, however, due to the risk of further offending.

The judge stated: “I’m not prepared to take a chance.”