Carlisle taxi driver accused of locking people in cab
A Carlisle taxi driver who allegedly locked passengers in his cab and confiscated their possessions in disputes over fares has been stripped of his licence.
Bulent Celik, 36, of Delagoa Street, off Botchergate, was one of two drivers to have their hackney carriage licences revoked by city councillors yesterday.
Both appeared before the regulatory panel for refusing to carry a disabled passenger.
In Mr Celik’s case, the offence was aggravated by complaints about him from other drivers and passengers.
He was accused of:
•Locking two young women in his cab in Brampton last November because they refused to pay £32 – they said he had agreed to charge £20
•Seizing a passenger’s shoes, handbag and mobile phone when she could not pay for a journey to Orton Road, Carlisle, on December 3
•Slamming on the brakes causing a passenger to injure her nose
•Refusing to carry passengers and ‘cherry-picking’ the most lucrative fares.
PC Alasdair Wright, of Cumbria police, told the panel there had been three allegations of false imprisonment against Mr Celik.
The force had concerns about his attitude towards women.
Council licensing officer Fred Watson said: “In 10 years as a licensing officer I haven’t dealt with as many complaints about one taxi driver.”
Panel chairman councillor David Morton told Mr Celik: “The decision of the panel is unanimous.
“That on a number of occasions you locked people in your car is unacceptable. You are not a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Your licence is accordingly revoked.”
Mr Celik’s appearance was triggered by an incident at Court Square taxi rank on December 16.
Passenger Stephen Hymers said he approached the rank with his mother in a wheelchair.
The first two taxis refused to carry them.
The front cab, parked in the designated disabled loading bay, was driven by William Malcolm Shields, 61, of Stockwell Road, Carlisle.
He told councillors that his wheelchair ramp was faulty.
He said: “I put the window down and said ‘Do you mind getting in the next taxi?’. I wasn’t nasty with them and they weren’t nasty with me.”
Councillors revoked his licence after hearing about previous contraventions for speeding, smoking in his taxi and defective headlights.
The second cab was Mr Celik’s. He claimed it was possible to load a wheelchair only from the disabled bay, which was occupied but licensing officers refuted this.
Mr Shields plans to appeal to Carlisle magistrates. He will be able to continue as a taxi driver in the meantime.
Mr Celik is considering whether to appeal.
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/cumbr ... lifestyle/
Login
Register
FAQ
