Taxi Driver Online

I don't often write blog style threads about a shift, but yeterday stood out from my usual mundane existance as a London cabbie.

I wasn't going to work, but I need some electrical / plumbing done, so off I set for a reluctant Sunday tour.

Busy day, no complaints lots of nice punters on a Sunday.

At about 6pm I picked up a couple from Victoria, going to yet another super expensive hotel at Leicester Square called the 'W Hotel'. I'd never been there before, so ended up dropping them at the wrong corner of the square which is pedestrianised.

No probs, they were happy and I shot off north towards Euston. On the way a guy was trying to hail me, but like most time served cab drivers, there was something not quite right about this guy, he looked dodgy putting it politely, so I passed him, don't do trouble (or so I thought)

Not to worry, I was soon in Euston and picking up within minutes. I jumed out to help (please note) a preganant woman into the cab.

'Oh look someones left their bag' she said.

Bollox. That means a trip back to the hotel to trace them, just as there was work everywhere.

So I dropped her off at Waterloo where there was a sizeable queue of people waiting. I checked the bag for a name.

Feck me! It was full of cash, and I mean full of it. I counted it, and made it £5k in twenties, and well over £2k in Euro's.

Thats a lot of cash for anyone.

I was going to the Police with it, as dodgy money deals crossed my mind, then I saw all the bureau de change receipts from Bulgaria. The guy also had his business cards, he was a Bulgarian Football Owner. (Maybe he was here to buy West ham for £8k ?? )

So off I set with no great expectations, with an angel on one shoulder nodding, and the devil on the other waving round the world trips at me!

I arrived to find the most grateful Bulgarian I've ever met, and that's not many!

He hugged me, telling me London cabbies are great (of course we are) and how he'll write to the PM telling him about my actions!

I left feeling good, and my wallet £120 better off to round it off nicely.

Thank you Cab God.

Fast forward to 2am and the Esso garage in Letchworth.

I pull in, as does a local Letchworth taxi, and theres a guy smashing the kiosk window threatning to kill the cashier with a knife. FFS, why me?

We both shout at him to leave the guy in the garage alone, so he starts on us. I front him out as i spent many years dealing with scumbags in a previous life, and they don't tend to worry me too much, 99% of them are bullchitting cowards.

Luckily I was correct, and he kept backing off whilst shooting his big gob off about how he's going to get us (if I had a pound for that every time i've heard it) before trying to escape when two Police cars came over the horizon. We legged it after him and he dived in some bushes, no longer the lacal hard man, but now a coward in a bush.

The Herts Pol boys were great, they said nothing, emptied a tin of CS on him as he crouched in the bushes to make sure he really never had a knife or was going to use it, then carted him off cuffed in carrier.

I then spent a while hanging around, but they're going to get statements today.

What a bloody night.

Next time, I'll take the day off as I planned to.

Done all right on the cash side though.

Another night in the naked city.......................

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

And if you had picked up said iffy mush.

Chances of Uncle Bulgaria getting his cash. Nil.

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IDFIMH

Great story.

You should write a book; call it "Taxi".

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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Disagree with other members' views;
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When debating on the TDO Forum.

Well it's kept Alf Townsend comfortable for many years, perhaps I need a pipe and a pen?

The headcase was charged and bailed to court this afternoon, so I await his plea / future trial. Unfortunately the victim would probably make a weak witness, so whether the CPS proceed with it is another matter, let’s hope they do.

Let’s hope he catches something terminal over the next few weeks.

Painful would be an added bonus.

In America they have NCIS and CSI,and the A team, in London GBC

But you and a another saw the incident.

He will plead guilty.

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IDFIMH

You would think so, but I'm sure his brief will stretch the legal aid cheque out as far as they can.

The bit about 'as far as they can' is an interesting development.

Legal Aid is changing, and one of the consequences should be less trials, and more guilty pleas.

Main reason being defence lawyers/barristers will only get paid a fixed amount, and trials are often treble booked.

For those not in the know that means three, sometimes four and five, trials are all booked for the same time, meaning two, three or four of them have to be re-listed.

And that means two, three or four sets of lawyers don't get paid for there time.

Thus loads more guilty pleas.

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IDFIMH