Taxi Driver Online

Preston taxi driver investigated by police after 'obscene' video goes viral

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/presto ... -1-9499800

Police are investigating a hate-filled rant in which a man, believed to be a Preston taxi driver, threatens to rape Muslim converts to Christianity


Image: Lancashire Post

The explicit video was reported to Lancashire Police by a Preston woman who said she was concerned by the man's 'extremist views'.

The man in the video is believed to be a taxi driver from Deepdale.

The video, posted on social media on Monday December 17, appears to be a response to a Muslim man who had broadcast his baptism and conversion to Christianity on Facebook.

The woman who reported the video to police said she would not feel safe as a passenger in his taxi and is 'concerned for the welfare of the public'.

She said: "After seeing that video, it frightens me now to identify myself as a Christian to someone that I don't know.

"It's sad that I have to hide my religion. This man's dangerous views on something so normal like people changing religions is unacceptable.

"His threats to sexually assault those who convert to Christianity is the heart of hate speech.

"To me, he is displaying extremist tendencies and is encouraging violence.

"I'm genuinely concerned for the welfare of the public who may not be aware of his extreme views."

Preston City Council said they are aware of the video and confirmed that they had received a complaint from a member of the public.

A spokesman for the licensing department said: "We are aware of the video in question and we can confirm that we have received an informal complaint from a member of the public.

"We recognise the man in the video and we are liaising with police on this issue and will follow their lead in respect of the need for an investigation.

"If police confirm that this is a criminal offence, Preston City Council will review whether this individual is deemed a fit and proper person to serve as a licence holder.

"But in the event that police do not find grounds to proceed with a criminal investigation, Preston City Council still has the option to review whether someone is considered suitable to hold a licence and we can revoke that licence if necessary."

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of the video and we are looking into it".


Preston taxi driver apologises for obscene video and asks Christians and Muslims for forgiveness

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/presto ... -1-9501029

The Preston taxi driver who threatened to rape Muslim converts to Christianity in a hate-filled online rant has apologised and asked for forgiveness.


Image: Lancashire Post

"I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me", says the man in a new video provided to the Lancashire Post.

The man begins by explaining that the offensive rant was a private message between friends and was not meant for a public audience, before apologising for his 'crude' comments.

The man then asks for forgiveness from Christians, Muslims and 'everyone affected by it'.

Referring to himself as a 'happy chappy', he explains that the explicit comments in the video was intended as 'banter between mates.'

"I've come to realise that I made several obnoxious, crude comments which I shouldn't have made. I'm really sorry for the offence caused", he said.

"I've got nothing against Christians. I've got a lot of Christian friends. I was brought up with Christians.

"I went to school with Christian friends and I play football with them on a regular basis.

"They will vouch for me, that I've never done anything like this before.

"I sincerely apologise. I've always tried to be good to all people. I know some of you won't see it that way but I do ask for forgiveness.

"I take all the comments back. Every single one of them. Forgiveness from all Christians for a start.

"I think I've upset a few Muslims as well. And I apologise for that from the bottom of my heart.

"People who know me know that I'm a happy chappy and I think my comments have gone out of context.

"I will not be making this mistake again. I apologise to everybody who has been affected by this.

He added: "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

The original video is currently being investigated by police after they received complaints from members of the public.

Preston City Council are also investigating the incident and warned that the taxi driver could have his licence revoked.

Seems that the 'happy chappy' vibe and calls for forgiveness haven't been enough:

Preston taxi driver arrested for 'religiously aggravated harassment' after video goes viral

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/presto ... -1-9501556

The taxi driver at the centre of an 'obscene video' storm has been arrested by police.

Lancashire Police said in a statement this afternoon that they had launched an investigation and arrested a 41-year-old man from Preston.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of a video widely circulating on social media which shows a man making a number of offensive comments.

"As soon as this video came to our attention we launched an investigation and we have today arrested a 41-year-old man from Preston on suspicion of religiously aggravated harassment.

"He remains in custody and our investigation is on-going.

"We recognise the distress the comments have caused to a number of people and we hope they are reassured by the action we have taken.

"We are committed to tackling all crime motivated by hate and prejudice and we would urge anyone who has been a victim of a hate crime to have the confidence to come forward and report it to police. Victims will always be dealt with professionally and sympathetically."

Hate crimes can be reported to police on the non-emergency number 101 and through the Constabulary website www.lancashire.police.uk

Hate crimes can also be reported through True Vision, a national online reporting facility at www.report-it.org.uk

Preston is notorious for this sort of thing of all the mill towns it seems to have the most racial tensions well according to preston branch of my family

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

Yeah OK then



He'll get fuck all from me.



It's like the National Front man who isn't racist because he's got a black dog.

The original video is on the Sun's website, if anyone wants to view it

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8025867/a ... rap-video/

He sounds very devout:

Preston taxi driver hands over licence after hate-filled online rant

https://www.lep.co.uk/your-lancashire/p ... -1-9528755

A Preston taxi driver who threatened to rape Muslim converts to Christianity has handed over his licence.

The footage from the Hackney Carriage driver, 41, was widely shared on social media to the horror of viewers.

He was later arrested by police on “suspicion of religiously aggravated harassment”.

The driver appeared before Preston City Council’s Taxi and Miscellaneous Committee today to have his Hackney Carriage driver’s licence reviewed.

A Preston City Council spokesperson said: “During the course of the hearing, the driver agreed to hand-in their Hackney Carriage driver’s licence by the close of business today, and has already done so.

“This will be in effect until the completion of the related police investigation and any subsequent legal processes.

“The driver will be unable to drive a Hackney Carriage in Preston until reappearing before the Taxi and Miscellaneous Committee for a full licence review.”

Following the release of the video a petition calling for the Deepdale-based driver’s licence to be revoked was launched and has now reached almost 2,000 signatures.

The taxi driver was bailed by police until Wednesday, January 16.

Just shows the damage social media can have on the stupid.

Trying to be clever has cost him a lot of money and worry.

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IDFIMH

Have seen a couple of articles about this in the past few months, but it was about the prosecution (or not), so I haven't posted anything, and assumed that because he'd handed back his badge the licensing aspect was effectively done and dusted.

But rereading the above it would seem that despite handing back his badge, the committee have still to undertake a full licence review. Presumably he's effectively suspended at the moment in legal terms.

Anyway, this was published today on Blog Preston (and picked up by TaxiPoint) and apparently there's a petition calling for the permanent revocation of his badge. So presumably this one still hasn't reached its licensing conclusion.


Preston Police to meet with those demanding Preston ‘hate rant’ taxi driver is charged

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2019/07/p ... s-charged/


Zaheer Hussain makes threats to rape Christians in the video (Image: Blog Preston)

Police in Preston are due to meet with a group of campaigners calling for a city taxi driver to be charged.

Zaheer Hussain was released pending further investigation after a ‘hate filled rant’ against former Muslims who had become Christians.

Mr Hussain, had filmed himself being driven around the city, and after the clip was widely shared on social media he issued an apology.

The black cab driver was arrested on suspicion of religiously aggravated harassment in December last year.

He was released pending further investigation.

More than 2,000 people signed a petition calling for his licence to be permanently revoked by Preston City Council.

And emails seen by Blog Preston show Preston Police have been deluged with emails from campaigners calling for Hussain to be charged.

The Ex-Muslims Preston Association has also called for the police and the CPS to take action.

In an email, seen by Blog Preston, the Chief Inspector of Preston Police Steve Sansbury has offered to meet with some of those calling for Mr Hussain to be charged.

Initially he had stated a public meeting was being organised but Preston Police have confirmed this was a ‘miscommunication’.

Anthony Whitte, one of those calling for Mr Hussain to be charged, told Blog Preston: “It’s ludicrous that more than 2,500 people in Preston signed a petition calling for the removal of this man’s taxi badge.

“This man should have been charged and convicted months ago.

“The public I assume indicates that other concerned Prestonions been asking the same questions as I; that we’re all gobsmacked that nothing has happened.”

A spokesman for Preston Police told Blog Preston: “This is a private meeting to discuss the matter with several complainants. The initial invite to those individuals was miscommunicated.

“It is not a public meeting. Apologies for any confusion.”

The meeting is understood to be taking place before the end of July.

More than likely it will be suspended until it runs out, which could be for another two years. Then not reissued.

Unless a court orders otherwise.

_________________
IDFIMH

I think you've all missed the point this is Preston he is probably 1 out of several hundred who talk and think like that. The children are taught at age 6 or 7 to hate all non Muslims and then go and spout all the bile at their fellow primary school children it happened to both my nephew and niece parents complained and nothing was done

1 driver losing their badge will change nothing

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

When you were laughing at the Cardys in Wales losing lots of work I was going to point out that you can read a lot worse by contributors on here...hope your council isn't reading this

It is a factual statement based on real experiences

I work with a lot of Asian drivers there are some descent ones and a few bad ones but Preston seems to be a mecca (pun intended) for bad ones

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

Preston taxi driver will not be charged over obscene video after CPS say that no crime was committed

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/presto ... 1-10002421

A Preston taxi driver will not face any charges over an obscene video in which he appeared to threaten Muslim converts to Christianity.

The 41-year-old man, from Deepdale, was arrested in December on suspicion of religiously aggravated harassment after the video was reported to Lancashire Police.

The hate-filled rant was filmed in a car driving around the Moor Park area of Preston and went viral after it was shared to social media.

The hackney carriage driver, who held a licence with Preston City Council, was released under investigation and issued a public apology asking both Muslims and Christians for forgiveness.

Police continued to investigate the incident for six months, and after seeking advice from a senior hate crimes lawyer, the force referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service in June.

Today (September 18), Lancashire Police said it has concluded its investigation into the alleged offences.

After liaising with the CPS, the force said no further action would be taken and the man will not be charged with any offence.

In a statement released this afternoon, Lancashire Police explained how this decision has been reached.

A spokesman said: "In December last year we were made aware of a video widely circulating on social media which showed a man in a car in Preston making a number of offensive comments.

"As soon as this video came to our attention we launched an investigation and we arrested a 41-year-old man from Preston on suspicion of religiously aggravated harassment.

"Four further men, all from Preston, voluntarily attended at a police station and were also questioned under caution in connection with the incident.

"We have conducted detailed and wide ranging enquiries in relation to what happened, including the use of our digital specialists.

"We have also considered a number of possible offences. However, after liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service, the decision has been made by them that no further action will be taken.

"We understand the significant upset the comments in the video have caused to many people in Preston and beyond.

"However, our primary role is to investigate whether any criminal offences have occurred and it is therefore important to clarify how this decision has been reached.

"The video was initially posted into a private WhatsApp group containing a very small number of people.

"There is evidence to support the 41-year-old man’s claim that he did not intend for the video to be shared beyond that small number of people and despite numerous exhaustive enquiries, we are unable to determine how it was distributed beyond that group and by whom.

"There is therefore no evidence to prove that the arrested man had any intention to incite or stir up religious hatred amongst the general public.

"A separate offence of sending a grossly offensive/indecent or menacing message by a public communication network was also put to the Crown Prosecution Service, but it was decided by them that it did not meet the evidential test for a criminal offence."

Chief Inspector Steven Sansbury added: "I fully appreciate the distress and public interest that this video caused and have been determined to make sure a robust and thorough investigation was conducted, and all possible offences that may have been committed were considered.

"We work hard to keep communities across Preston safe and feeling safe and, as part of the investigation, we have spoken to a number of individuals and community organisations to reassure them.

“We are absolutely determined to tackle all crime motivated by hate and prejudice and I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a hate crime to have the confidence to come forward and report it to us.

"We will always deal with victims of hate crime professionally and sympathetically and do everything we can to both support them and seek justice wherever a crime has been committed."

Hate crimes can be reported to us by calling 101 or using our non-emergency on line crime reporting site via www.lancashire.police.uk/reportonline

Hate crimes can also be reported through True Vision, a national online reporting facility at www.report-it.org.uk For more information about hate crime and how to report it click here https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-a ... ate-crime/

Lancashire Victim Services offer specialist support to any victim of hate crime at lancashirevictimservices.org

No word about his badge - wonder if he'll try to get it back?