Taxi Driver Online

Plymouth taxi driver beaten with bottle in numbers row

A TAXI driver was left battered and bloody after he was attacked when he went to pick up a fare. Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident in Apsley Road, Mutley Plain at around 1.30am on Saturday

Attila Balogh, who has only been driving his blue Vauxhall Vectra for TaxiFirst for the last two months, said he was called to the address to pick up a female fare from a house party. However, upon arrival he found a large group of young men and women, all wanting to be taken home.

He said: "Five people got into the car – I'm only allowed to carry four. I asked who booked the taxi to explain that I could not take five and one would have to get out." The rear passenger behind the driver's seat was chosen and Attila said he needed to leave the car.

Attila claimed: "While I was waiting for instructions of where to go next the man behind me got out and hit me with a bottle in my mouth. The passenger next to me grabbed me so I couldn't even defend myself. Then a guy from outside the car hit me."

Attila eventually managed to free himself and hit the emergency button, hailing help from his dispatcher. He said the group fled and he briefly chased them, but after other drivers arrived he realised the extent of his injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital to receive stitches to his eyebrows and lip.

A police spokesman said: "This is a hard-working man who was pointing out the legal requirement of how many he can carry in his cab and as a result he's given an appalling beating for his trouble. "We would urge members of the public to come forward or anyone else who was at the party. Police are willing to speak to you even if you saw nothing of the incident so you can be eliminated from our inquiries."

If you can assist police contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number EC/13/6446. Three men, all aged 19, have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and released on police bail until September 26 pending further inquiries.

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IDFIMH

the public can be a right nasty evil bunch at times,

I've been in this situation myself on occasions thankfully never escalating beyond a few shouts and moans.

surely to god the public need to realize we knock hires back that we cant take because we are trying to keep both them and us right.

had a right earful off a gent a few weeks ago, turned up at an address 3 adults and 3 kids waiting, explained could only carry a maximum of 4 passengers. gentleman was quite insistent that the kids would happily sit on the adults knees. refused him and explained that I was only licensed and insured for 4 passengers regardless of age or size to which I got an earful of abuse and called for everything. customer was absolutely raging because a previous driver running an identical car had picked him up earlier that night and carried them without complaint.

Sorry but my livelihood is worth more to me than a quick £15.

the problem is up here that we charge fare and a half for a 6 seater so people do try and chance their arm to save a few quid.

Yep they always want to squeeze one more in either by trying to seat 4 across 3 seats or put one in the boot or one lying on the floor and they always promise to pay extra or "we won't tell anyone"

These days I tell them one passenger per seat belt and politely tell them I can't move until thats the case as my insuarance is invalid unless it is if you blame it on an insurance company not the law they are usually more amenable

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

what a nasty population we have now if it cant have own way it hit out at other

I am just waiting for the Local Police to say that this is in fact a "Civil Matter".

It's what they do with all the Taxi and PH stuff here.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

I think everywhere will get that problem of trying to fit to many in.

My take to them is that I would lose my livelihood/license if caught + the insurance for all of them is invalidated + plus we are going nowhere until the one over the odds gets out. I feel that it is best handled if you are standing outside of the cab whilst you are saying all of this, as it does not give them any cover to batter you as might happen inside a cab.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

Trouble is there's always some twunt who WILL take more than he's licenced to for the extra fiver.

in my opinion being stood outside yer cab is alot more dangerous

Generally I would agree with you. With a TX you are probably correct but with a saloon car where the passenger can be behind you, it could be safer outside so at least you can run.

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Grandad,

and what if you get caught its tough to get kicked in the head inside yer car my advice is never get out of yer car.

I would stand by my original opinion on the basis of the fact that these people are basically cowards, who like to operate when the odds are on their side.

There is less chance of you being attacked in the open than under the cover of a vehicle. The thought that others may see them, or that they may be seen by a CCTV cam is a deterrent in itself. I cannot understand any logic that would confine me/you in an enclosed area of a vehicle, whereby 1. Others do not know you are being attacked 2. You could be stopped from getting away.

It would be interesting to know the views of others.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

I wouldn't fancy my chances in a sprint

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

Nothing quite like a Jock in a frock running down the street - they would be pi$$ing themselves laughing so much, they would not be able to do anything about it

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

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

Don't fancy your chances either, John bach

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