Taxi Driver Online

'Cruel' taxi fare dodger hunted

The man travelled in the taxi from Newcastle to central Scotland
A man who convinced a taxi driver to take him from Newcastle to Central Scotland then ran off without paying is being hunted by police.
During the four-hour journey from Newcastle Central Station to Banknock, the man ran up a three-figure fare.

After being driven to Hazel Road at about 0200 GMT on 30 December, the man disappeared without paying.

Police appealed for anyone who knows of someone who returned from Newcastle before Hogmanay to get in touch.

The man responsible was described as being about 17-years-old, 5ft 7in tall with short, brown hair.

'Out of pocket'

He was wearing a black jacket or jumper with blue jeans and was carrying a blue holdall.

It is understood the fare for the black Skoda Octavia taxi ran to just over £200.

The suspect, who spoke with a Scottish accent, gave the 29-year-old driver assurances that the fare would be paid but then ran off once they arrived at their destination.

Insp Paul Fleming, from Central Scotland Police, said: "This was a cruel act to play on somebody who was trying to make an honest living and who is now considerably out of pocket.

"We are continuing our enquiries into this incident and I am appealing to the public for any information they have that may help the police to solve this crime."

He asked anyone with information to contact Denny police on 01786 456000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

I wonder if that driver, or any of his close colleagues, will get caught out like that again?

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IDFIMH

Its a very sad tale, the only reason I posted it was to remind us all how careful we all must be.

Regards
BB

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

There is being careful and there is being stupid!

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Grandad,

got to agree

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I always tell out of towners/distance punters, that the office insist that we have the fare up front. If they object, I say it is an office instruction and that I have got to do it otherwise I get it in the neck so to speak.

Do I belong to an office - NO! it is a white lie but it has saved me more money than I have lost.

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

Or if you're worried that they might wonder where your radio/data unit is then you could try saying that the car isn't yours and that the owner's policy is that you get the cash up front.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

We always get the cash up front for all runs out of our Zone or area, we tell them that the meter will be run and if there is change they will get it or if its more they can top up, at least you we get 99.9% of the fare

Absolutly.

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Grandad,

The best laugh I have had in a long time was a night I took 4 [edited by admin] heads to Hawick 18 miles away, they paid me £30 before we left as they said they wanted a multi drop. it takes about 25 mins to get there and they had fell asleep
I stopped at Hawick town centre and they all decided to leg it, I shouted after them about the £5.50 change but they kept on running
One dummy I would expect but 4 of them

Maybe they were all desperate for the toilet!

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Grandad,

See the world does have some nice folks in it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tay ... 219489.stm

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IDFIMH

Couple of more doors knocked on the driver could of had a tenner tip as well

I wonder if the runner chipped in?

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

You mean Scotland still retains some decent folks.