Taxi driver played ISIS beheading video in front of young girl, claims "sickened" fatherA FATHER and his seven-year-old daughter were left “sickened” when a Worcester taxi driver allegedly played an ISIS beheading video in his stationary car.
Scott Howard, 31, of Ronkswood, claims he had to shield his autistic little girl from seeing the violent clip when the Central Taxis cabbie streamed it on his mobile.
Disturbing sounds and images of the murder were clearly audible and visible from the phone which the taxi driver rested on the steering wheel, according to the angry father.
But the owner of Central Taxis said the actions of his self-employed drivers were “their own” and that only Worcester City Council could take disciplinary action if the claims could be substantiated.
Mr Howard said: “I was absolutely shocked and it really sickened me. It was so wrong.
“I had to move my daughter quickly to prevent her seeing it.
“The video was really violent and I could hear gun firing.
“If he wants to watch stuff like that then he should do it when he is not working.
"I didn't say anything to him because I was too wound up and didn't want to kick off in front of my daughter."
The alleged incident happened outside Pitmaston Primary School but Mr Howard cannot recall the exact date and did not take down the driver’s name or taxi number.
He was prompted to contact the Worcester News after reading on Wednesday (March 18) about a cabbie who was caught playing a movie on his mobile while driving passengers around Worcester city centre.
Sharafat Ali, owner of Central Taxis, which is based in Shrub Hill, Worcester, said: “If the claim is sufficiently substantiated then this could lead to disciplinary action for the driver involved but only from Worcester City Council, from whom the taxis are licensed.
“I do not have the authority to take such action. I am merely a sub-contractor of work to self-employed individuals for a cash consideration.
“It is also important to understand that any views or actions which an individual expresses directly or indirectly are their own and do not in any way represent the views of myself or Central Taxis Worcester.
“Additionally all drivers are self employed so if someone has an individual issue with a driver they should contact them directly.”
Lesley Borthwick, secretary of the Worcester Taxi Drivers Association, added: “I can only apologise to the people involved.
“It does not sound like a very nice experience.
“I have been speaking to everybody in the association and telling them to be careful and sensible with the use of mobile phones.
“What the drivers watch in their own time is up to them and mobile phones are a good source of entertainment when stationary and waiting around – but when they have passengers they should turn any videos off straight away.
"In cases like this the passenger should have taken down the plate and badge number and reported the matter to Worcester City Council."
source:
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/118 ... __father/#
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