Taxi Driver Online

Daily Record

June 15, 2007, Friday

CROOK'S CABS STAY ON ROAD;

BLUNDER BY OFFICIALS

By Lachlan Mackinnon

A COUNCIL blunder has allowed a taxi firm linked to gangster James "The Iceman" Stevenson to carry on taking hires - for two weeks at least.

Efforts to strip CS Cars of their licence were delayed because Stevenson's wife did not receive vital documents from licensing chiefs.

Caroline Stevenson, 48, was summoned before Glasgow City Council's licensing committee yesterday after a complaint by Strathclyde Chief Constable Willie Rae about the firm.

But officials did not send her a copy of his report.

Mrs Stevenson's lawyer John McDonald said they needed time to prepare their case against any allegations contained in the document.

Committee convener John McKenzie said: "In the interests of being totally fair, we are prepared to give you two weeks."

In April, James Stevenson, 42, of Burnside, near Glasgow, was jailed for 12 years and nine months after he admitted buying CS Cars' cabs with laundered cash.
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Im not sure how Glasgow City Council can, according to the Daily Retard, 'strip CS Cars of their licence' since in Scotland taxi companies are not licensed

I can only assume that CS Cars own some cars, which are licenced, & thats what the council are trying to 'strip' them of

Even if Glasgow City suspend the licences, CS Cars still operate the cars if the appeal the decision in the courts

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_around_the_world

I think all ten cars are licensed in his wifes name and I suspect they draw the conclusion that if they take her licenses away then the firm will cease to exist.

Regards

JD

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Thanks for the clarification JD

If local authorities in Scotland ever get the power to licence offices, I wonder how many in the Glasgow area have 'fit & proper' ownership ?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_around_the_world

The paper have it wrong. There is no Private Hire Company operating as CS Cars. What you will find it that it is someone who has 10 Private Hire Car Licenses. Simple as that.

Thanks Radioman, not the first time that down market tabloid has printed lies

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_around_the_world

If I take the role of devils advocate on behalf of Mrs. Stevenson, can I suggest that having been found not guilty of the charges laid against her she has every right to be judged a fit and proper person?

I understand her husband acknowledged that the vehicles in question were purchased with illegal proceeds of crime and there is to be a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing later this month which will probably confiscate the vehicles in any case. The point is, irrespective of the vehicles status should Mrs. Stevenson be deemed not to be fit and proper?

On the other hand councilors are putting the ball firmly in the Sheriff court and asking them to decide that question?

Regards

JD

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I think they will at some time, as for the 'fit and proper' aspect, well thankfully that's not for me to decide.

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IDFIMH

So if she's operating vehicle that are know to have been purchased using the proceeds of crime and/or she's just a front for her husband operating the vehicles then she's not fit and proper?

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Taxi Driver Online
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Yes one might assume you are right but it will be interesting to see what she says in her defence considering she was found not guilty in court. Should she be judged without first explaining her reasons why she should not be deemed fit and proper?

Regards

JD

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