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Trafford Minibus Rapist


Unlicensed Minibus Driver Rapes Woman in Partington!


Report Date Jan 11 2007


On January 11th 2007 Greater Manchester police issued a press release in respect of yet another sad case of a woman being raped. Trafford CID informed Taxi Driver Online that the offender is a licensed Taxi Driver. The problem that TDO had is that no one seemed to know just exactly where this rapist was licensed? We didn't even know if he was a bone fide Hackney carriage or private hire driver? Trafford CID flatly refused to state where he was licensed or whether he was a hackney or private hire driver? After making extensive enquiries TDO can confirm that the rapist is not a licensed Taxi or Private hire driver but a an unlicensed PSV minibus driver operating under section 75 1 B of the 1976 LGMPA.


Trafford licensing has had numerous enquiries about this gentlemen and are quite distressed that people are ringing up accusing them of licensing rapists. The Rapist is one Murtaza Mateen from Lime crescent, Old Trafford, which is a stone's throw from Manchester United Football ground.






Mateen aged 47 was driving a 12 or 15 seater minibus on Manchester road Partington, which is close to Sale, Altrincham, Lymn and other parts of Cheshire. His victim was a 42-year-old woman who either lived in Partington, which is primarily made up of a large council estate, or on the outskirts of Partington where you will find the occasional isolated private dwelling. Partington is surrounded by open countryside so it is rather obvious that a female walking home at 3-30 in the morning is taking a huge risk in exposing herself to the dangers of the night.




Mateen drove past his victim then stopped and waited for her to walk past his vehicle so he could entice her into his minibus. He then drove on for a short-distance, stopped his vehicle and committed the rape.


We have JD to thank for this diligent investigation in revealing the facts of this incident. JD would not believe this rapist was a Taxi Driver until he had concrete evidence that proved beyond all reasonable doubt that he was? As it is, JD's instincts were well founded and perhaps the Taxi trade owes him a debt of gratitude for exposing the facts.


We all campaigned for the removal of section 75.1.B of the 1976 Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions act but if any case highlighted the need for its removal then surely this is that case?


I'm going to leave the press release as the police issued it and let you form your own opinions.


Murtaza Mateen born on 10th January 1960 of Lime Crescent, Old Trafford was found guilty of rape on Thursday 11 January 2007, following a four-day trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.


On Sunday 11 June 2006, the woman was walking home along Manchester Road in Partington at about 3.30am after a night out when she saw a taxi drive past her and stop a short distance away.


When she reached the taxi, Mateen asked her if she wanted a lift. The woman felt safe she was getting into a genuine taxi and accepted the offer. Mateen drove her a short distance before locking all the car doors. He then leant over and raped her.


The woman moved her hand towards the door handle, but Mateen noticed and the victim feared he would hurt her if she tried to escape. The woman managed to get out of the vehicle and returned home where she called police.


As part of the investigation into the rape, police obtained CCTV footage from the area and traced the taxi and Mateen as the driver. DNA evidence also linked Mateen to the rape. Mateen was arrested on suspicion of rape on Thursday 14 June 2006 and was subsequently charged following interview.


Detective Constable Alison Barber from Trafford CID and who investigated the case, said: "Mateen has denied this offence from the beginning and would not even assist in police interviews despite having photographic and DNA evidence that linked him to the crime.


"Mateen used his job as a taxi driver to persuade the woman into his car before raping her.


"This has had a devastating effect on the woman's life and I can only hope that the guilty verdict will bring some sort of comfort to her that the offender has been convicted and will remain behind bars."


Sentencing has been adjourned until Friday 26 January 2007.


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Tuc Tuc's on the Move in Purbeck!


Report Date Jan 2007


Marc Self of Road-Liner Transport Dorset who run Buses, Taxis and Private hire vehicles has successfully applied to Purbeck District Council to license two Super Deluxe convertible 650cc TUC TUCS, as hackney carriages.


The two TUC TUC's will operate for six months of the year from April through to September and mainly in the Swanage area. They will be equipped with Taximeters and ply for hire at Taxi ranks under normal conditions of Taxi licensing.





Taxi Driver Online asked Mr. Self if he was concerned about adverse reactions from the local taxi trade, his response was that "local Taxi drivers are backward thinkers and too busy arguing amongst themselves to worry about his TUC TUC enterprise?




Purbeck council license approximately 20 hackney carriage vehicles but Marc is of the opinion that he may license additional TUC TUC'S if the venture proves successful?


Licensing of TUC TUCS is not new, as this magazine has reported on previous occasions, however the significant factor in this case is that where previous licenses have been issued under PSV legislation, these particular vehicles are being licenses under Hackney carriage legislation. The reason for this is that TUC TUC's licensed in Purbeck have different specifications to those licensed in Brighton and elsewhere. An additional factor is that Purbeck council has a flexible policy on vehicle types and it does not apply quantity controls on taxi numbers.


Many people will frown at the prospect of TUC TUC's running around as Taxis, especially National Taxi Associations and in particular the TGWU. The fact remains that these organisations are constantly reminding us that councils know what's best for their area so perhaps it would be a little hypocritical if these organisations decided to condemn Purbeck council for doing exactly what they themselves advocate? Roadliner TUC TUC's have already gained National recognition by being featured on GMTV. Marc Self told TDO that the company has already made a substantial investment in the local Transport industry and he is looking forward to this new venture.


Roadliner already run both hackney and private hire vehicles but Marc told us that he hopes to tap into the local business market and allow his vehicles to be customised. He has come up with the novel idea of allowing individual business's the opportunity of hiring a TUC TUC for a specific period and for an additional fee of £1500 pounds the vehicle can be customised in the companies livery. The fee of £1500 is to cover the cost of spraying and re-spraying the vehicle back to its original livery.


Purbeck council has altered their licensing conditions in order to accommodate these new types of vehicles. Purbeck licensing panel met on January 18th and agreed the recommendations that these vehicles should be licensed?

LP – 18.01.07 POLICY STATEMENT

POLICY AREA: 19.1 TAXIS (HACKNEY CARRIAGES AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES)

1. FUNCTION. To ensure safe, convenient means of public transport through the licensing of hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, operators and drivers, the enforcement of statutory requirements and licence conditions, provision of hackney carriage ranks and fixing of hackney carriage fares.


2. POLICIES. 2.1 To restrict the age of vehicles other than FX4 London type taxis, metrocabs, vintage cars, limousines and "Tuc-Tuc" rickshaws as follows:


a) Issue of first licence - 5 years (that is, 5 years exactly from the date of registration) (b) Renewals - 5 years unless in the opinion of the Council the vehicle is in pristine condition (c) Absolute age limit -10 years


2.2 To have no restriction on the colour and make of vehicle, but the vehicle to be a hard top four-door saloon or estate car with a minimum 1300cc engine or motorised people carrier and have adequate seating for a minimum of four passengers and for a maximum of eight passengers with adequate provision for luggage space. ‘Tuc-Tuc’ rickshaws will be permitted but must be type approved for road use by D.o.T. Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).


2.4 To ensure the vehicle is inspected annually by the Council or its agent and to ensure meters are tamper-proof. "Tuc-Tuc" rickshaws to be inspected every 6 months.


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Police catch robbers who beat up Oxford private hire driver.


Report date: January 2007


Two men have been arrested in connection with the robbery of a private hire driver at Oxford's Blackbird Leys estate.




Mr Al-Kotob a 37-year-old private hire driver was beaten and robbed after picking up two people in the city centre and driving them to Falcon Close on 14th January at 3-25am. Mr Al-Kotob tried to escape, but his attackers caught up and beat him unconscious. About £80 of cash was taken along with a car stereo. The men, aged 19 and 20, are being held in police custody. His nose was broken and needed 12 stitches to his face. He was unable to move his hands, and had bruises and injuries all over his body.



He was beaten up by two people he picked up in the city. They also stole a computer and £80 cash.


Mr Al-Kotob drove the men from St Aldate's in Oxford to Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys, where he was attacked. He tried to flee but they caught up with him and beat him unconscious.


He said: "I ended up thinking I was going to be killed. When I fell down, I bent my hand so hard I can't move it and I can't move my shoulder. During my whole life, I have never made any trouble or had trouble before."


Jahid Jan, 34, another private hire driver, said: "I'm scared. I drive a car with a secure shield in it. If I didn't have one, after seeing Mr Al-Kotob's face, I would get one fitted."


The attack is not being treated as racially aggravated.


Oxford police crime reduction adviser, Nick Gilbert, who used to be a taxi driver, said: "Cab drivers can get CCTV fitted in their cars, but the cost would be huge.


"Private hire drivers are safer when they are picking up passengers who have booked them. "Drivers have to use their best judgement. If you see a passenger and are worried, it's your personal choice whether to take them or not. This was a particularly brutal attack and this man has my personal sympathy."


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Updates on previous articles.


Report Date Jan 2007


Two Melton Mowbray Taxi drivers accused of racial abuse, are due to appear in the local Magistrates court on February 6th. Both had their licenses revoked by Licensing Officer Elaine Holdsworth after it was alleged they racially abused a fellow cabby of Indian origin.


Robert Croft one of the suspended drivers, who operates as Freddy's Cabs, was interviewed by licensing officer Holdsworth, he said Mr Saheed Ullah and another cab driver complained that he had played loud music while ranked up at Melton train station to which Mr Ullah took offence. A further allegation by Mr Ullah is that either one or both of the suspended drivers laughed at a woman wearing a veil. Mr Lee Franklin said he has also been accused of having a racist ring tone on his phone as well as using racial abuse.


A report was sent to the local police who decided to take no action, however licensing officer Holdsworth set herself up as prosecutor, judge and jury when taking the decision to revoke all three licenses held by the accused.


The council issued the following statement.


"The two drivers are having their licences revoked following complaints of racial abuse and harassment which were received by the council and were thoroughly investigated and substantiated." "Melton Council cannot and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour."


Licensing Officer Elaine Holdsworth added: "Taxi drivers must meet the criteria of a 'fit and proper person'. Melton Council does not consider this criteria is being met by these two drivers, therefore these licences have been revoked."


Mr Croft, of Long Clawson, who runs the only purpose-built wheelchair cab in Melton, has been a full-time cabbie for 23 years. Fellow accused Mr Lee Franklin aged 52 who has only one eye said he would not do anything to jeopardise his job and these charges are ridiculous?


Dean Cardwell, spokesman for the Melton Independent Taxi Group, said: "The council is really saying they're guilty before their appeal has been heard.


"The council doesn't have any physical proof and no actual times and dates. All it has is verbal allegations. To me that's not enough to take away someone's livelihood."


A new twist in this saga is that the council is now trying to find a way out of the mess they find themselves in by negotiating a compromise through the National private hire association.


Billy Nanner, representing Melton Borough Council, said, "the authority was in discussions with the National Private Hire Association, which is representing the two men and that discussions were continuing in the hope of reaching a compromise."


Giving councils the power to suspend or revoke a licence without the right of the license holder to carry on working until their appeal is heard is complete folly and will most certainly be abused. The situation in Melton where one individual sitting with another taking a decision to not only suspend these driver licenses but to revoke all three, highlights the problems license holders might face in the future.


The whole point of suspension and revocation is that the license holder is deemed to be a danger to the public, therefore in order to protect the public the licensing authority must act accordingly. In Melton you have to ask yourself are these two drivers with longstanding, unblemished records with no public complaints a recognised "danger" to the public?


Obviously Elaine Holdsworth and her fellow interrogator came to the conclusion that these two gentlemen are a danger to the public, or could it be that Elaine Holdsworth used the revocation as a punishment rather than a means to protect the public?


The DfT should look carefully at this case because they have certainly let the Genie out of the bottle when they amended sections 61 and 77 of the 1976 Miscellaneous Provisions act. They have allowed councillors and licensing officers with delegated powers to suspend or revoke any driver's license as they see fit?


The relevant sections of the 1976 act now read as follows with the amendments highlighted in bold type.


61 Suspension and revocation of drivers' licences


(1) Notwithstanding anything in the Act of 1847 or in this Part of this Act, a district council may suspend or revoke or (on application therefor under section 46 of the Act of 1847 or section 51 of this Act, as the case may be) refuse to renew the licence of a driver of a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle on any of the following grounds—


(a) that he has since the grant of the licence—


(i) been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, indecency or violence; or


(ii) been convicted of an offence under or has failed to comply with the provisions of the Act of 1847 or of this Part of this Act; or


(b) any other reasonable cause.


(2) (a) Where a district council suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any licence under this section they shall give to the driver notice of the grounds on which the licence has been suspended or revoked or on which they have refused to renew such licence within fourteen days of such suspension, revocation or refusal and the driver shall on demand return to the district council the driver's badge issued to him in accordance with section 54 of this Act.


(b) If any person without reasonable excuse contravenes the provisions of this section he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.


(3) Any driver aggrieved by a decision of a district council under "subsection (1)" of this section may appeal to a Magistrates' court.


"(2A) Subject to subsection (2B) of this section, a suspension or revocation of the licence of a driver under this section takes effect at the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which notice is given to the driver under subsection (2)(a) of this section.


(2B) If it appears that the interests of public safety require the suspension or revocation of the licence to have immediate effect, and the notice given to the driver under subsection (2)(a) of this section includes a statement that that is so and an explanation why, the suspension or revocation takes effect when the notice is given to the driver."


77 Appeals


(1) Sections 300 to 302 of the Act of 1936, which relate to appeals, shall have effect as if this Part of this Act were part of that Act.


(2) If any requirement, refusal or other decision of a district council against which a right of appeal is conferred by this Act —


(a) involves the execution of any work or the taking of any action; or


(b) makes it unlawful for any person to carry on a business which he was lawfully carrying on up to the time of the requirement, refusal or decision; then, until the time for appealing has expired, or, when an appeal is lodged, until the appeal is disposed of or withdrawn or fails for want of prosecution — (i) no proceedings shall be taken in respect of any failure to execute the work, or take the action; and (ii) that person may carry on that business.


"(3) Subsection (2) of this section does not apply in relation to a decision under subsection (1) of section 61 of this Act which has immediate effect in accordance with subsection (2B) of that section."


The mischief in these amendments contained in the 2005 Road Safety act is to protect the public from persons who councillors and licensing officials believe to be dangerous? The downside if there is one, is the potential for councillors and officials to abuse the powers granted to them under these amendments. There are countless instances were councillors have used suspension or revocation not as a means to protect the public but as a means to inflict hardship. Many licensing authorities will use the suspension of a license for a specified period of time but this in effect is a secondary punishment. Perhaps councillors think that a person who has been deemed fit and proper for the last twenty years and who has fallen foul of a misdemeanour will miraculously become fit and proper again if they suspend their license for two or three weeks? Either a person is fit and proper or they aren't, there is no in-betweens and suspending a license for a period of perhaps two or three weeks is not going to make that person any more "fit and proper" than they were prior to their suspension?


Councillors are noted as not being the sharpest knifes in the draw and perhaps they themselves should undergo a criminal background check so that they can be judged worthy to pass sentence on those who are not deemed so fit and proper?


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The Norwich Taxi owner/driver who has applied to license an E7 may have his application heard in March, according to the licensing department. Norwich currently license vehicles that conform to the PCO conditions of fitness, which incorporates the 25ft turning circle. The local Taxi trade are divided on the issue but a ballot taken by members of the largest local Taxi association came out in favour of licensing the E7, albeit by a small majority. Considering that the Editorial of this magazine believes in freedom of choice we await the Norwich decision in guarded anticipation?


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Burnley Council Remove Quantity controls.


On Tuesday 11 Jan 2007 Burnley council decided to remove restrictions on hackney carriage proprietor licenses.


Every new vehicle licensed must now conform to the PCO conditions of fitness and be no older than three years.


The policy change has been in the offing for some considerable time and Taxi Driver Online has held off reporting the news until such time councillors had made a decision one way or another? Licensing Officer Peter Henderson submitted a fair and balanced report that left no room for complaint from incumbent hackney carriage proprietors. However less than 24 hours after the Council lifted quantity controls a slow convoy of aggrieved Taxi drivers brought local traffic to a standstill.


Prior to the policy change, local Taxi drivers had employed the services of Prestwich Solicitors Aubrey Isaacson to speak on their behalf. An attendee at the committee reliably informed Taxi Driver Online that the solicitor's submission was far from impressive and that councillors were totally unconvinced.


Local Taxi owners are pondering whether to take the council to court in the hope they can get the decision reversed? Should they proceed their chance of success is nil. A council can remove quantity controls anytime they like and if they get the process wrong the first time, they will most certainly get it right the second time.


The most recent scenario in the quantity control saga is that which Watford council played out in 2006. Surprisingly Watford got it wrong the first time they removed quantity controls in favour of Quality controls but made amends the second time around. Watford made the fatal mistake of making their intentions known before consulting stakeholders, i.e. local Taxi owners and drivers. Consultation is a prerequisite for any policy changes that effects stakeholders but I'm sure all you councillors out there realise that?


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Continuation of the Liverpool Airport Saga


The most recent news to come our way in respect of the proposed permit charges at Liverpool Airport is that JLA management has asked for a fee of two pounds per job. This has yet to be confirmed and at present is only hearsay, however there is no doubt that someone at JLA thinks Liverpool cabbies have wheels of gold.


With Liverpool hackney licenses changing hands at 50 grand I'm more inclined to believe they have plates of gold, rather than wheels of gold? Nevertheless we have to pity these Scousers who are constantly plagued with their own brand of Cherry pickers and swathes of Sefton private hire vehicles marauding all over Liverpool. I suppose that’s par for the course for a big city like Liverpool and knowing Scousers they probably take it all in their stride.


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Hey Big Spender


ALIGHTING from a taxi after a 20 pounds fare from Wigmore Street in the West End to her Hampstead home, Geri Halliwell gave the cabby a 20p tip. It prompted the driver to remark that the last time she was a passenger in his cab she also left a 20p tip. The singer replied, "that she always tipped taxi drivers 20p."


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Yarmouth Council takes the "piss" out of horse and cart cabbies.


Report date January 2007


Norwich Evening News reports, that Yarmouth seafront's famous landau drivers are outraged at the councils plans to charge them over £100 - just to spend a penny.


Licensing officials have drawn-up proposals to open toilets on the town's Golden Mile solely for the use of operators of the popular horse drawn carriages. However, the borough council says it cannot finance the scheme and is asking drivers to stump up £120 per year to use them.


The move is part of proposals to move the carriages from their current spot on the taxi rank outside Britannia Pier, in Marine Parade, to a nearby roadside spot.


It has angered operators who claim years ago they were promised they would be able to use the toilets free of charge when they agreed to fit controversial "nappies" on the horses.


David Benjafield, 38, a landau operator for 20 years, said: "In the past we have always done what the council has asked. We fitted the "nappies" and we were told that in return they would put up toilets. But now they want to charge us to use them and to call it a cheek wouldn't do it justice. At the moment we are able to use toilets in the Joyland Arcade and I don't see why I should have to pay when I don't even want to use them. I don't think people will be happy about this but you always get the impression with the council that it is a done deal."


Fellow landau operator William Yaxley said: "It is ridiculous because we have got to have toilets. At the minute I use the toilets by the Pleasure Beach, but it isn't ideal." A council spokesman confirmed it was looking into the possibility of submitting an application for toilets on Marine Parade, but said the plans were only at consultation stage. She said: "We are in discussions about this at the moment and nothing has been decided. It has not even gone as far as the planning stage."


In 2002, the horses were fitted with special dung catchers following complaints about the smell along the seafront.


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Irish Taxi reformer Ger Deering moves on.


EMBATTLED taxi regulator Ger Deering is saying goodbye to the cabbies and is moving to a new job as director of the National Employment Rights Authority. The authority is being set up under the terms of the Towards 2016 social partnership deal to protect the rights of immigrant and other workers.


Mr. Deering had a hard time in his job as Taxi regulator and one of his main criticisms was for his reform of the cabbies fare structure.


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Darlington owners desperate for new recruits.


Report date: January 2007


Taxi Driver Online followed up a story written by Lauren Pyrah of the Northern Echo who reported that a Darlington taxi driver has warned that a proposed increase in license fees may put off new recruits to the taxi trade?


Paul Harrison, of Darlington firm ABC Taxis, said that private hire companies in the town were struggling to find new drivers and Darlington Borough Council's proposed charge increases would compound the problem. He called for a freeze on all taxi licence fees and charges for the next three years. The council's cabinet is to vote on the proposed changes at its meeting on Tuesday.


Proposed rises include a (GBP) 10 increase on both private hire and hackney cab vehicle licences, and a (GBP) 25 increase on private hire operator licences. It is proposed that all other charges and fees remain the same and officers have recommended the changes for approval.


Darlington Hackney/Private Hire Group formally objected to the proposals in December, questioning the estimated budget. A letter to the council from the group said: "We do not believe that the budgetary basis of the licensing fees is stable or objectively supported by independent advice.


"Considerable variance between the estimates provided for 2006-07 and the forecast out-turn now provided means that it is impossible to place any credence on the estimates for 2007-08."


Mr Harrison told The Northern Echo that a combined driver licence at Hambleton District Council was just 57 pound compared to 110 pounds in Darlington.


"It is very, very hard to get new blood to come and work on the taxis. We can't get drivers for love nor money. "The council just doesn't want to seem to help."


Stephen Harker, the council's cabinet member for consumer and environmental services, said the department had tried to ensure it was fair to the taxi drivers while not overly subsidising the service.


He said the council had consulted the drivers and listened to their concerns about recruitment and, as a consequence, had tried to keep the costs for drivers starting out low.


He said: "Overall, I think in terms of what we are recommending to cabinet next week, I am happy we have got the balance right."


Taxi Driver Online phoned one of the main Taxi offices in Darlington and found out that their main criticism was against extra charges such as the mandatory DSA test. It transpires that potential recruits are being put off by having to pay to re-sit the test after failing it the first time.


I'll remind everyone that Joe Price a local cabby of long standing failed the test four times in a row before he finally gave up and left the taxi trade. It would appear Quality controls are certainly having an effect in Darlington.


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Nottingham police thwart cabbie protest.


Nottingham Evening Post


Report Date Jan 2007


A protest set to bring the Nottingham City centre to a standstill was foiled after police warned that charges could be brought against anyone taking part. Two hundred furious private hire drivers were due to meet at the Forest Recreation Ground at 8am to stage a rolling roadblock in the city centre. Police met drivers and warned they could be charged with public order offences.


Drivers who are angry about access restrictions to the £11.7m Turning Point would have blocked roads like Gregory Boulevard, Mansfield Road, Shakespeare Street, Upper Parliament Street, Milton Street, Mansfield Road, and Huntingdon Street, by travelling abreast of one another at speeds of about 5mph.


Ray Butterworth, of the Association of Nottinghamshire Private Hire Operators, said: "The police said they don't want us to do that and we could not find a common ground. "We cannot make a decision on behalf of the drivers that might put them in court. "We will talk to the drivers and explain the situation that has been put to us by the police."


Police advised the drivers to hold a walking protest instead to avoid criminal charges, but said seven days' warning would be needed.


Private-hire cabbies have been lobbying the council against access restrictions imposed in October, which, they claim, give the city's hackney cabs, which have not been restricted, an unfair business advantage.


The private hire drivers say their customers have to pay more because they are forced to take longer routes. Restrictions mean private hire cars can enter the zone at only one point, near Langtry's pub in Upper Parliament Street, while hackney carriages can enter from two other points in Milton Street and Lower Parliament Street.


Andy Jackson, 42, of Trent Cars, said: "The whole point of the protest is to bring Nottingham city centre to a standstill. "It is more of a message if we drive. But everybody else does not want to, then I will walk."


Darren Cotterell, 39, of Trent Cars, added: "I don't agree with the police but I am quite happy to walk. I am quite willing to do anything to be honest. We need to get the point across. "The last time we discussed things we talked about doing two or three rolling roadblocks per week. But now we will have to discuss it further."


A police spokesman said the cabbies' protest would have caused health and safety problems with the emergency services and could not be given consent.


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Lake District Cabby Demolishes House.


Report date: January 2007


Following on from last month's incident where Taxi Driver Online reported that a Bolton Cabby had crashed into the living room of a house in Bolton, we can now bring you news of another Lancashire lad who has done the exact same thing. Unfortunately for this particular cabbie he sustained an injury after his cab smashed into the front of a house in Hornby on Friday Jan 12th.


Parts of the Lancashire village were sealed off at teatime after the taxi heading into the centre of Hornby lost control on a bend on Main Street.


Four fire crews and a major incident support unit were called to the scene. An urban search and rescue team was also called to help ensure the home was structurally secure.


A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We shored up the front of the property to make it safe and removed the vehicle from the front of the house following the collision."


The driver was taken to Royal Lancaster infirmary with leg and chest injuries.


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A touching tribute to murdered Cabby Colin


Report Date Jan 2007


Bristol Evening Post reported that former team-mates of murdered taxi driver Colin Winstone gathered together to mark the second anniversary of his death.


Players from the Imperial Rugby Club visited the spot where Mr Winstone was killed two years ago. They laid flowers and lit a candle in his memory.


Mr Winstone, from Longwell Green, was murdered on January 11 2005 outside the Old Fox Inn, Easton, after refusing to hand over cash in an attempted robbery.


He played for Imperial, on the wing or at centre, for 14 years, and is fondly remembered by the South Bristol club, which has held a number of events in his memory.


For Nigel Jones, 45, paying his respects to his old friend were especially important, as the popular father-of-two was murdered on his birthday.


Mr Jones said: "Colin was a very close friend of mine and I was devastated when I found out what had happened. Last year on the first anniversary of his death, we visited the spot where it happened and laid some flowers and tied a club tie round the lamppost.


"We have done the same this year, and will continue to do so every year to keep his memory alive."


Davidson Charles, aged 41, had been out of jail for just seven weeks when he stabbed Mr Winstone, who was 44. Charles was later sent back to prison for the murder and must serve at least 26 years in jail.


Mr Winstone had worked for Av-a-Cab in Kingswood for two years until two weeks before the murder, when he left to go independent after getting his own car.


Mr Jones, who lives in Whitchurch, added: "It is very emotional for us all when we return to the place where he was killed. I think of Colin every time I go past there. "He had his life taken from him on that road, so it is important for us to go back there to pay our respects.


"He was such a well-liked character, and he is sadly missed by everyone at the club. We were at training when we found out what had happened, and none of us could believe it. "We had known each other a long time and had been out drinking the Saturday before he was killed." End.


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Scottish Health chiefs rack up 8.6m pounds taxi bill


Report Date Jan 2007


Simon Johnson of the Daily Mail informs us that the NHS in Scotland is lavishing millions of pounds on taxis while patient services are being cut.


An 8.6million pounds bill has been run up by just three of the country's 14 health boards and support body NHS National Services Scotland (NHS NSS).


The worst offender is NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which spends an average of 2,700 pounds per day on taxis, despite plans to slash the number of its accident and emergency departments by 60 per cent.


Since 2001, Scotland's largest health board has paid out Pounds 5million.


NHS chiefs denied the money was spent ferrying bosses around, claiming taxis were needed to transport patients, records and test results. But critics last night slammed the huge sums being spent by the same NHS boards that claim to be struggling to fund patient services.


Nationalist MSP Alex Neil, who published the figures, said: 'With there being a further 11 health boards, I think it quite probable that we are looking at well over Pounds 10million of taxpayers' money being handed from the NHS to taxi firms in that period.


'Quite how NHS Greater Glasgow can have managed to run up a taxi bill so huge is beyond me.


'I think a lot of people will be asking questions about this, especially when the health board is in the process of shutting accident and emergency departments.' Blair Gibbs, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: 'it is indefensible to be spending this much money on taxis, especially when the Government is telling everyone else to use more public transport.


'They should lead by example and stop fleecing the taxpayer.' The figures obtained using the Freedom of Information Act, show the Scottish NHS is becoming riddled by a spendthrift culture of using taxis.


Since 2001, the amount spent annually by the three health boards and NHS NSS has almost doubled from 1.26million pounds to 2.4million pounds.


Spending on taxis by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has rocketed from 764,843 pounds in 2001-02 to 1.3million pounds in 2005-06.


A further 908,545 pounds has been spent since 2004-05, when the board assumed responsibility for part of the area covered by the disbanded NHS Argyll and Clyde. Yet the board plans to cut the number of its A&E departments from five to two.


A board spokesman said: 'Taxis are only used where it is appropriate and cost-effective to do so. For example, in certain situations it can be cheaper and quicker to transfer urgent documents, test results and patient records by taxi rather than by private courier.


'Taxis can also be more cost effective than the NHS running a large fleet of in-house vans or courier cars.' He added that taxis were also used to ferry patients not requiring urgent care from their homes to hospital or between different NHS sites if there is no available public transport. This applies particularly to elderly or disabled patients.


NHS Ayrshire and Arran has spent Pounds 1.2million on taxis, rising from 191,510 pounds in 2001- 02 to 326,681 in pounds 2005-06. This is despite its plans to close the accident and emergency department at Ayr Hospital, a move opposed by thousands of local residents.


Derek Yuille, the board's operational finance director, said: 'NHS Ayrshire and Arran uses taxis for the benefit of patients when other forms of transport are not available.' NHS Forth Valley spent Pounds 975,146 on taxis, almost doubling from 183,879 pounds in 2001-02 to 338,375 pounds in 2005-06.


NHS NSS, which has much less direct contact with patients, ran up a 602,000 pounds taxi bill.


It said it was a national organisation spread over 27 sites in Scotland and that staff used public transport where possible.


A spokesman added: 'We also need to move people at short notice on urgent business and between commitments to tight time scales.'


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Julian Clary and Northampton Cabby share intimate secret?


DOES Julian Clary know a secret about Princess Diana? The camp comedian confides an intriguing tip-off that her final resting-place is not where its thought to be.


Clary, who is in panto in Northamptonshire, said,


"We're just down the road from the Spencer family estate, Althorpe, where Princess Diana is buried in the middle of a handy lake. A local taxi driver claims she isn't there at all." So where is she? Clary reveals that" the Cabby told him where she's really buried, but he chooses not to reveal that location. He said he likes the idea of coachloads of tourists shedding tears and taking photos of an empty gravesite.


Taxi Driver Online thinks this is a case for Gateshead's Clairvoyant Cabby Ken Murray but if anyone really does know Julian Clary's well kept secret, then we would dearly like to know.


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Jet propelled Cabby gets 420mph speeding ticket!


Report date: January 2007


Taxi driver Tom Matthews got a speeding ticket, which claimed he drove at 420mph. Tom was snapped while carrying a fare in his 12-year-old Vauxhall Cavalier. When notice of the £60 fine and three penalty points arrived in the post, it said he was clocked at a mere 420mph in a 30mph zone.


Speed camera officials apologised for the mistake and said it was made by an employee, not roadside equipment. Commenting on the error, Mr Matthews of Newport, south Wales, said: "I could not believe it. I was a bit shocked because there was no way I was going that fast."


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Lakeland firm pioneers new Taxi advertising technology


January 2007


James Williamson writing for "This is The Lake District" explains the technology behind electro luminescent paper.


A SOUTH Lakeland firm has employed groundbreaking technology to advertise champagne on a taxi used to escort celebrities to exclusive events in London, reports James Williamson. Pandora Signs and Graphics (PSG) of Hawkshead used electro luminescent paper to create the first sequentially lit-up taxi that flashes in line with music played from the on-board sound system.


The taxi, which advertises Moet Champagne, has already been used to transport various celebrities to and from events and venues, such as the London Film Festival, The Bal Masque Ball and Ronnie Scott's jazz club. PSG installed lighting panels underneath the vehicle and developed the computer sequencing to make them flash in-tune with the music.


The black London cab was then covered in large patches of the electro luminescent paper, which fits smoothly over the vehicle's contours, before being covered with vehicle, wrapped vinyl containing the Moet advertising design. Sections that were not supposed to light up were then blacked off and the design was finished off with 20,000 sparkling crystals.


Organic phosphor, which is imported from Indonesia, is printed on to electrical conductor to make electro luminescent paper. An A4-sized sheet, along with electrical running gear, costs around £80 and the overall cost of the taxi project was around £25,000.


Julian Carter, owner of PSG, said that there were only about three companies in the UK that sold electro luminescent paper and he was very proud to have been commissioned to carry out the project for Moet. "Pandora Signs was commissioned by the company to create this world first concept as they are leaders in electro luminescent technology in the United Kingdom," he said.


Jamie Douglas, who works at PSG, said the technology was so new that the business was still seeking ideas on other ways to use it, such as lighting up menus outside restaurants. He said the company was hoping to secure a deal with car maker BMW to develop information boards that lit up as customers approached them and switched off when they walked away.


PSG is hosting an open day, to provide information about electro luminescent technology, at the Low Wood Hotel, Ambleside, from 9am to 4pm on Monday, January 15.


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Cornish Cabby revives long established Penzance taxi firm


Report date: January 2007


A new man has taken over behind the wheel of a long-established Penzance taxi firm. Terry Daniels took over James' Taxis last June and looks forward to offering the Penzance area the highest standard of service. A driver himself with many years of experience in Bath and the surrounding area, Terry is relishing the challenge of running his own taxi firm.


He says: "It has been a difficult transition but I'm optimistic about the future of James' Taxis and intent on delivering the reliable service that the firm's customers were formerly accustomed to."


To mark the rebirth of James' Taxis, the firm now has a striking new logo.


The taxi service operates from 8am until late, and, in addition to the cars, he offers a seven-seater vehicle for the use of larger parties, plus wheelchair access.


Terry told Taxi Driver Online that Penwith council currently limit licenses to nineteen and plates are changing hands for 25 grand. Terry, who has two cabs, is looking to employ two additional drivers, he said if the opportunity presented itself in the future he would like to expand.


If you fancy a job in Penzance you can contact Terry at "James Taxis" 1 Albert Terrace, Penzance. Phone: 01736-366166


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Glasgow Cabbie accused of dumping dying Woman!

Report Date: January 2007 John McCann of the Evening Times Glasgow, reports on an incident involving a Glasgow hackney carriage driver whom allegedly dumped a woman that suffered a stroke in his cab?


A GRIEVING woman is searching for a taxi driver she believes left her mother to die in a Glasgow close in front of her grandson.


Anne Chadwick, 57, fell ill as she collected grandson Ian Ashcroft from Eastbank Primary in the East End. She took a taxi to her Tollcross flat but her condition worsened on the trip as she suffered a massive stroke and passed out in the back of the black hackney cab.


Eight-year-old Ian called his mother Anne-Marie McKay on a mobile phone but when she arrived minutes later, Anne was already in a coma. Now Anne-Marie, 26, wants to know why her dying mother was "dumped like a bag of rubbish" instead of being taken to hospital.


She said: "When Ian phoned I asked him where his gran was and he said: 'She's in the taxi'. "I asked him to put the driver on and when I asked what had happened he said she'd had a wee turn but she was fine."


Anne-Marie, who was shopping, dropped everything and drove to the flat to find her mum unconscious on the stairs. She said: "When I got there, she was absolutely grey. I called an ambulance and they arrived really quickly. They did everything they could but it was too late."


The ambulance took Anne to the Royal Infirmary where she died two days later on December 22, the day before Ian's ninth birthday. Anne-Marie said: "The driver just wanted my mother out of his taxi. He got a neighbour who was passing to give him a hand and then just left her in the close."


Bill McIntosh, secretary of Glasgow Taxis, offered his sympathy to the family and said: "It is beyond my comprehension that somebody could behave like this. "We have an emergency system that allows the driver to get through to us straight away so that we can contact an ambulance."


Mr McIntosh said it would be impossible to trace the driver, who had been hailed in the street, from the 1400 taxis and up to 5000 drivers operating in the city. He said: "Unfortunately someone who behaved like this would probably keep quiet about it. But he warned: "If I find out who this is I will definitely take action against him."


Miss McKay said the driver was a grey-haired man and she believed he was aged 60 as he and Ian had played a game guessing each other's age.


She asked for help tracing the man and said: "It wouldn't have saved my mother's life if an ambulance had arrived earlier, but lying in a close is no way to spend your last minutes. "How can you just leave somebody to die? This man dumped my mother like a bag of rubbish and went back to his work."


Glasgow City Council, which licenses taxis, said it would be inappropriate to comment on the case, as it could prejudice any future hearing


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Middlesbrough Cabby Hit With Two-Year ASBO Loses License!


Report date: January 2007


Middlesbrough Evening Gazette reports a violent and aggressive taxi driver has been hit with a two year ASBO and told he can visit his property on only one day of the week.


Taxi driver Imran Yakub, 25, from Hambledon Road, Linthorpe, was hit with the ban after a "campaign of intimidation" against residents, Teesside Magistrates Court heard.


Middlesbrough Council applied for the ASBO after trouble started around a house owned by Yakub on Urswick Close, Grove Hill.


Neighbours complained of the state of the house while Yakub, maintained he was simply the landlord, despite attending the property most days.


Middlesbrough Council's Housing Benefit Fraud Team found Mr Yakub was the father of his tenant's children. The court heard that after neighbours reported him, Yakub started to drive dangerously on the street and sat outside residents' houses, staring through their windows.


The council alleged he assaulted a resident, who then had to undergo surgery. He threw missiles such as cartons of sour milk and eggs at residents' houses, and fired a pellet gun in the direction of their homes and cars.


Residents were also subjected to abuse including homophobic comments and threats to kill. Middlesbrough Council enforcement officer Joanne Russell, said: "This case would not have been so successful were it not for the bravery of residents who attended court to give evidence."


The two-year ASBO prevents Yakub from entering Urswick Close at any time except for Mondays between the hours of noon and 3pm to carry out essential visits to his house. He is prevented from making any contact with named residents.


He is also banned from causing criminal damage or harassment, alarm or distress to anyone, the court heard. Middlesbrough Council was awarded costs of 1,827.50 pounds and Yakub was ordered to pay the amount within seven months. Yakub also lost his taxi licence.


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End of the road for Plymouth Pink Ladies


Report Date: January 11, 2007 Thursday


William Telford Investigations Editor for the Evening Herald Plymouth reports that Controversial women only 'taxi' firm Pink Ladies has ceased trading in Plymouth with the loss of a dozen jobs.


Seven months after it started in Plymouth the Pink Lady franchise, famous for running seven bright pink Renault Kangoos around the city, said it would return fare money, paid in advance under a swipe card scheme, to all 1,800 of its 'member' customers.


Bosses are also trying to help its drivers find other work.


Exact details of why the Plymouth franchise has ceased operating from this week are unclear, but its demise follows the closure of other franchises in London and Carlisle.


Pink Ladies' Warrington head office said it was restructuring and a 'new way of trading' was being trailed.


A spokeswoman also said it was in negotiations with another Plymouth Company about starting up a new franchise in the city.


Pink Ladies is now only operating in Warrington and St Helen's on Merseyside, but says it plans to open franchises in Edinburgh and Manchester.


Jacky Carter, who ran the Plymouth Pink Ladies franchise, said staff were devastated.


"They loved working for us; we were good employers," she said. "I'm desperately trying to get my girls jobs."


She added: "We had a good relationship with our customers and "all members who are in credit will get their money."


Pink Ladies, which uses only women drivers to ferry female passengers and their children, caused controversy in Plymouth and across the country when it began operating by insisting it was not a taxi business.


It maintained it was neither a hackney carriage outfit nor a private hire company, claiming to exist as a members-only 'travel club' using an exemption under Section 75 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976.


It meant that, alongside for-hire limos and airport transfer firms, it fell into a grey area where it is unclear whether vehicles have to be licensed by councils, the Government - or at all.


When the Plymouth franchise was opened, city private hire firms were furious and claimed the new company was avoiding licensing charges and operating beyond council regulations. It is understood talks are under way between Pink Ladies' head office and the Government about the position.


A spokeswoman at the Warrington head office said: "It's very sad that Pink Ladies Plymouth has ceased trading, and there are negotiations in progress with a local businessperson to take over the area, so giving minimal disruption to members, and any staff who wish to continue working in the business.


"The whole model for the company is changing, and a new way of trading is being trailed in Warrington and Edinburgh," she said. "When the trials are complete new areas will be launched to continue to satisfy the demands for the service around the country."


John Preece, boss of city private hire firm Taxifast, said it was sad that the Pink Ladies franchise had ceased trading, but added: "From a transport operators' point of view the concept will never work."


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Taxi driver in court after soldier's death


Report Date: January 2007


Leicester Mercury reports that A taxi driver facing charges after an accident in which a young soldier died has appeared in court.


Private Michael Ashley Dixon, 19, was found dead on the side of the A606, near Empingham, Rutland, on July 9 last year.


Mohammed Razzaq (35), of Bouges Boulevard, Peterborough, appeared before Melton magistrates on Tuesday. He has denied charges of failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without due care and attention.


The case was adjourned for a pre-trial hearing on March 6 at Melton Magistrates' Court.


Pte Dixon, of Carlisle, was with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment stationed at St George's barracks in Edith Weston, Rutland.


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Taxi Grandad Cleared of Touching up Lesbian!


Report Date: January 2007


South Wales Echo reports that a jury took just 20 minutes to clear a 64-year-old grandfather of sexually assaulting a young mother on her own doorstep.


Slightly built Brian Bethley - married for 40 years - endured the trial at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday after the 23-year-old falsely accused him of touching her breast and making lewd remarks.


The lesbian woman said it happened when Mr Bethley, a well-known taxi driver in the Bridgend area for 25 years and who also sold tobacco, called to see how much Golden Virginia her girlfriend wanted to buy.


She claimed to have been petrified and left distraught when he stepped inside her front door and propositioned her.


The devastated Grandad said he had never gone in and his son, Andrew Bethley, told the jury he had seen his dad calling at the house and he was gone no longer than two minutes. The complaint was made later while Mr Bethley senior was out shopping for his own elderly mother.


Andrew Bethley said: 'I was shocked, he was shocked, my mother was crying. 'Then I had to tell him the police were coming to see him.'


Dorothy Hood, a friend and neighbour on the Tudor Estate in Caerau, Maesteg, where the Bethleys live, told the court: 'He and his wife are good friends and the best neighbours.'


Mrs Hood had heard first about the complaint being made and warned Mrs Bethley. She said: 'I felt terrible but I thought it was better coming from me, not from the police knocking on the door.


'Carol was in a terrible state and he was just devastated.'


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Richmond Taxi Drivers ask for fare rise


Report Date: January 2007


TAXI drivers in Richmondshire have asked for permission to increase fares. Richmond Taxi Association wants to increase the minimum charge, known as the flag-fall rate, from (GBP) 2.10 to (GBP) 2.25 in the daytime. Under proposals submitted to Richmondshire District Council, the night time flag-fall for standard vehicles would rise from (GBP) 2.80 to (GBP) 3, and for vehicles carrying five or more passengers from (GBP) 3.50 to (GBP) 3.75.


The association also wants the waiting time rate to increase from (GBP) 12 to (GBP) 18 an hour and the charge for cleaning soiled vehicles to go up from (GBP) 40 to (GBP) 60. The group has not applied to change the rates for distance travelled. The council will discuss the rises on Tuesday. If councillors agree to the increases, the new fares must be published for 14 days to give members of the public the chance to object. Councillors will also look at a rulebook for taxis and private hire owners and drivers at next week's meeting.


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Taxi sex attack victim to be interviewed


Report date: January 2007


Detectives were planning an in-depth interview today with a woman who was sexually assaulted by a man claiming to be a cab driver in Oxford.


The 25-year-old victim has said she was picked up by a black cab driver off Cowley Road and driven to garages near Pennywell Drive, Cutteslowe, late on Friday night or early on Saturday.


Detectives said they will not know whether or not she was raped until they interview her. Det Insp Simon Morton, of Oxford CID said the interview was due to take place today. The area was searched by police after the alleged attack.


Shortly before Christmas revellers were warned not to climb into bogus taxis and Oxford's Nightsafe initiative launched a campaign to raise awareness of what a licensed cab or private hire vehicle should look like.


Mr Morton said strict legislation meant there were few problems with licensed vehicles. He added: "This doesn't raise its head very often because taxi drivers are licensed and registered. "Private hire vehicles are controlled and have strict rules governing their use. "The drivers are legitimate and normally trustworthy. "The black cabs are also strictly controlled and provide an excellent public service. "As with any part of the community there are always the occasional incidents that give cause for concern."


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No Go Areas for Leeds Cabbies


Report Date: January 2007


Alison Bellamy reporting in the Evening Post writes POLICE chiefs and politicians are to hold a crisis meeting over the violent attacks on cab drivers in east Leeds.


Following the spate of attacks on private hire drivers, which has seen seven people arrested, some areas of Leeds, including parts of Gipton, have become "no go areas" for drivers. Gangs of yobs have been striking in the Seacroft and Gipton areas – in some instances surrounding vehicles, assaulting drivers and threatening them with knives – before stealing equipment and cash. Gipton and Harehills councillor Javaid Akhtar has called for an urgent meeting to deal with the growing problem of violence against cabbies. The meeting today will be attended by officials from West Yorkshire Police Authority and Leeds City Council.


Coun Akhtar said: "Following the attacks in both Gipton and Seacroft this weekend, the need for greater safety measures for both taxi drivers and the public is more pressing than ever. "It seems that taxis are being deliberately targeted in East Leeds for desirable items such as mobile phones and satellite navigation systems. This problem does not only affect the driver of the cab, but any passenger who may be in the taxi when an attack takes place.


"We do not want to see parts of Leeds becoming no-go areas for taxis and private hire vehicles, and that goes for any other part of the city. That's why improved safety measures need to be put in place as soon as possible." Mini cab drivers have been contacting the YEP in droves to tell of their experiences at the hands of yobs. Private hire firm Roadrunners has banned drivers entering parts of Gipton. Operations manager Jody Hodgson said: "It is just not worth it with the current escalation of violence." 16 January 2007


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Peterborough Taxi Drivers Consider Curfew


Following three vicious attacks on Taxi and Private Hire drivers in four days starting on Christmas Eve the drivers and companies are considering a midnight curfew. They know it will lead to hundreds if not thousands of New Year revellers facing been stranded after seeing in the New Year but they feel that no one earns from a hospital bed and it’s better to be safe and sound and able to work the rest of the time.


The first attack took place in the early hours of Xmas Eve when a driver was struck by a bottle when he was unavoidable caught up in a gang fight on the eastern edges of the City in Welland Road.


Later the same day just before midnight on Xmas eve in the Bretton area another driver Pervez Shahid had a 5inch knife held to his throat and robbed.


On Wednesday 27th a third driver was pulled out of his vehicle in Normanton and the vehicle driven off. Once again this attack was in the early hours.


The police have arrested 5 people in respect of the first incident on Welland Rd. A 24 year old man on suspicion of possessing a offensive weapon, another 24 year old and a 18 year old on suspicion of causing GBH, another 18 year old male on suspicion of affray and a 25 year women on suspicion of violent disorder.


Two youths aged 16 and 17 a 17-year-old girl and a 20 year old women have also been arrested on suspicion of robbery when the stolen vehicle from Normanton was found by police in Birchtree Avenue.


A police spokesman said “ all these crimes are being treated seriously by us and investigations ongoing.” They have asked for anyone with information on the attacks to contact them and in particular the knife robbery in Bretton.


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Conviction of illegal cabbie fuels council


Report Date: January 2007


The Lancashire Telegraph reports that BURNLEY Council has vowed to crack down on rogue taxi drivers after a man was convicted of posing as a cabbie.


The moves comes after Peter Slinger, 52, of Snowden Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to using an unlicensed vehicle and acting as a private hire driver and operator without having the appropriate permission from the council.


Slinger, who was said to have been operating a one-man private hire taxi service, was caught after he picked up a Burnley Council licensing officer in his unlicensed car. He did not have a licence from the authority to operate.


He was fined £390 and ordered to pay £125 costs by Reedley Magistrates Court. Slinger also had eight points put on his driving licence for having invalid insurance.


Coun Charles Bullas, executive member for community safety said: "In the interests of public safety, the council will continue to robustly enforce the legislation in respect of unlicensed operators, drivers and vehicles. Drivers of unlicensed vehicles are putting the safety of the public at serious risk.


"Legitimate, licensed, drivers and operators have to undergo regular, rigorous Criminal Records Bureau checks and medicals and their vehicles must be fully insured, MOT tested and relicensed every four or six months - dependent on their age.


"To be assured of their safety, the public needs to be confident that the journey they have booked will be carried out through a licensed operator, by a licensed driver, in a licensed vehicle."


People can use Hackney carriages, also known as black cabs, by hailing them down in the street or from a taxi rank.


Anyone wishing to use a private hire vehicle must phone up the firm before.


Habib Rehman, chairman of Burnley Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Association said he was pleased the council was taking action against unlicensed cabbies.


He added: "It is very dangerous to get into unlicensed taxis. As the association we don't approve of this and are very much against this.


"I am pleased the council are sending people out and they will find people driving unlicensed taxis."


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Gateshead Cabby's Gun Ordeal


Report Date: January 2007


Nick Whitten of the Evening Chronicle reports on a Gateshead Taxi driver's Gun Terror.


Driving his taxi around Tyneside used to be a labour of love for Paul Rudd but after a terrifying incident in which he was held up at gunpoint, the 26-year-old from Gateshead is struggling to get back behind the wheel.>


Paul, who has worked for Gateshead-based Dean Taxis for five years, was waiting for a fare in Balmoral Way, Felling, when a man approached wielding an imitation hand-gun. He grabbed the driver door handle, pointed the firearm at Paul's head and screamed at him. Working on pure instinct Paul ducked, slammed his foot on the accelerator and sped away. As he drove off the gunman smashed his side and rear window with the butt of the gun.


Michael Hartshorne, 21, of Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court. He admitted charges of attempted robbery, possessing an imitation firearm and using the imitation firearm with intent to cause violence.


The case was adjourned until February 2 when Hartshorne will return for sentencing. The incident happened on October 11 and while it only lasted a couple of minutes, it has plagued Paul's mind since.


He had to see a specialist and will no longer work after dark again. This has severely reduced his wages, and as a result he is now looking for a new job. He said: "I will never work nights again. I have had many nightmares ever since. To be honest I am looking at changing my career.


"It was a terrifying experience. You do not realise how bad something like that could be until it happens to you." After Paul had got away from the gunman he pulled up and called the police who came quickly to the scene. Paul was explaining what had happened, when as luck would have it the gunman walked into the same road. The police gave chase and arrested the man.


Paul's experience is another in a spate of attacks on taxi drivers, which has led to a campaign to have CCTV, fitted in cabs. The Northeast's cabbies are launching a bid to have CCTV installed in every one of the region's 5,000 taxis to increase security for drivers and passengers alike.


CCTV, which costs around £600 a system, is already installed in the region's buses and Metro system. Chris Chandler, regional chairman of the National Taxi Association, said: "I would estimate there are hundreds of verbal assaults a week against taxi drivers, particularly racial abuse.


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Thornaby Taxi Firm May Lose License After Drivers Attack Punters


Report Date: January 2007


Court report The Northern Echo


A TAXI firm could lose its operating licence after its drivers carried out a vigilante attack on customers who were disputing the cost of a fare.


Teesside Crown Court heard that six drivers from Royal Taxis in Thornaby arrived in cabs to take part in the incident in Thornaby at 4am on September 3, 2005.


A 19-year-old man, who had just left another taxi with two friends, was kicked and punched, leaving him with a broken rib and a punctured lung.


Judge Guy Whitburn said that the Crown Prosecution Service must decide whether to take action over the firm's operator's licence, and the licence of one driver who admitted taking part in the attack. Tim Bubb, prosecuting, said that three friends called a taxi after an all-day drinking session.


They claimed they were told that the fare would be nine pounds but the driver, Mahfooz Hussain, then demanded thirteen pounds. The men had left the vehicle when six other Royal taxis arrived and they were attacked.


Hussain alleged that he was attacked by the passengers while he drove.


Robin Denny, in mitigation, said he was punched on the head from behind, someone grabbed the handbrake and also squirted with a substance like paint.


Judge Whitburn said: "Frankly, that sort of behaviour, particularly by Royal Taxis, ought to be brought to the attention of the licensing authorities. "Vigilante behaviour by taxi drivers cannot be tolerated any more than violence on taxi drivers.


"Clearly those in the taxi had had a considerable amount to drink, but what happened when they were set upon cannot be tolerated."


Hussain, 36, of Edwards Street, Stockton, was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, 200 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay (GBP) 250 prosecution costs after he pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm assault.


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Newark and Sherwood want your input!


January 2007


Newark and Sherwood District Council want views on what would improve taxi services as part of its review of taxi regulations.


A spokesman said: "We are especially interested in your comments on the proposal to make all Hackney Carriages purpose-built and adapted to carry wheelchairs. "We would also be interested in your views on how all licensed vehicles could be made more environmentally friendly."


Views should be sent to the Licensing Section, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Kelham Hall, Newark on Trent, Notts, NG23 5QX by January 31.


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Bus that picks you up from your door just like a cab


Report Date: January 2007


Mark Tallentire of the Northern Echo reports that North-East commuters could enjoy the convenience of taking a taxi for the price of taking a bus, two transport experts have claimed.


Steve Day and Cameron Gordon say that within five years, County Durham could see timetables drawn up by passengers, buses that collect you from the front door and public transport "at the cost of taking a bus with the convenience of taking a taxi".


The pair are the men behind Du-it (Durham Integrated Transport), a consortium seeking to overhaul public transport in the region, which has received the backing of some of the biggest players in the industry.


Mr Day and Mr Gordon want to create a "demand-responsive service", which they say could mean passengers designing timetables to suit them, and buses collecting from homes, cafes or places of work. The key to the plans is each community having its own transport hotline.


"If you wanted to go somewhere, you would call a local number and speak to someone with local knowledge about all the transport options available, " Mr Day said.


The Social Exclusion Minister, Hillary Armstrong, is one of several County Durham MPs supporting Du-it, and its ideas have also been welcomed by the Government Office for the Northeast.


As well as improving bus services, Du-it wants people to share cars more. Under its plans, a driver who gives details of their regular journeys would be offered contributions for giving lifts to others.


"We think people want to drive less to help the environment but it also makes economic sense, because the driver could give lifts and so recover the full cost of making the journey, " Mr Day said.


"We want to provide people with a viable alternative to the car. At the moment, there isn't one. Taxis are too expensive to use regularly and buses aren't considered desirable so we're left with the car.


"We're suggesting we can provide a transport service at the cost of taking a bus with the convenience of taking a taxi."


Mr Day, a former rural partnership officer in Teesdale and Wear Valley, and Mr Gordon, chairman of the County Durham Strategic Partnership group for strong, healthy and safe communities, are in talks with local government, the NHS and transport companies.


Their project is supported by academic research from Newcastle University's transport operations research group. They hope to begin a pilot scheme in County Durham later this year.


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Feuding taxi drivers pick-up 10 point fine


Report Date: January 2007


The Bexhill Observer reports that two cabbies involved in a street scuffle have fallen foul of Rother's new disciplinary rules.


Each has been handed a 10-point penalty by a licensing committee panel. A third driver has also had a 10-point penalty following a complaint about his attitude to the council's licensing officer.


Taxi and private hire licensing panel members councillors Keith Bridger, Chris Starnes and Bob White met in camera with Cllr Starnes in the chair. They heard a confidential report from director of services Tony Leonard about a dispute between the two drivers.


The Rother minute of the hearing says: "The report gave details of a dispute that had arisen between the two drivers which had resulted in physical violence. "In light of this incident the panel were asked to determine whether the drivers remained fit and proper persons to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence.


"Letters in support of the Taxi Company had been circulated to the members of the panel. "The council's legal representative advised the panel on the matters, which should be taken into account in determining these cases, and the options open to them.


"The panel heard evidence from the head of environmental health, the drivers and one of the driver's legal representatives, who were in attendance. "The panel proceeded to hear the case.


"Members considered the evidence and agreed that action should be considered against both the drivers. "The panel agreed in accordance with the council's penalty points scheme that 10 points should be added to both drivers' Hackney Carriage Driver's Licences.


"These points would remain on the drivers' Licences for a year commencing from the December 21, 2006. Should a driver receive additional points in the next year and accumulate 12 points then the driver would be required to appear before the taxi licensing panel for consideration as to whether the driver's licence should be revoked."


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Cross Dressing Postman and Cabbies, Targeted by Yorkshire yobs.


Report Date: January 2007


Nishika Patel of the Yorkshire reports on A cross-dressing postman who hid hundreds of parcels at his home in order to avoid stone-throwing yobs who made not only his life a misery but also many cab drivers.


Michael Pearson, 43, who admitted hoarding 234 packages and dumping 29 in a supermarket car park, was hounded by teenage gangs on his rounds in Cleckheaton After the sentencing at Dewsbury Magistrates Court, Pearson, who calls himself Michelle when he dresses as a woman, spoke yesterday of how louts used to shout: "Are you a man or are you a woman?"


He said Fire fighters; "Taxi Drivers" and all postmen were targeted and abused on the rough Fieldhead estate, where buses will not even venture.


And although Pearson tried to hide his alter ego from his workmates, it appears the young thugs noticed he had shiny long hair and nicely shaped eyebrows, so they abused him for it.


The court heard the trusted postman had tried to shorten his round to "reduce the risk of confrontation with the youths". He attended court wearing a dress; high heels and matching pink lipstick and nail varnish.


Suspicious officials searched his home in September after spotting him peeling address labels off packaging in a pub car park and dumping the parcels in a bin at a Tesco supermarket.


Daniel Metcalf, for Pearson, told magistrates that most of the letters were junk mail and circulars. Pearson admitted delaying 264 postal packages and criminal damage at an earlier hearing. The father-of-one, who now does odd jobs after being forced to resign, has said he is sorry for harming Royal Mail and regrets having done it.


Pearson, who lives with his wife, Amanda, 41, and son Jamie, six, was given a four-month suspended jail term and ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work. He must also pay £300 towards the cost of the Royal Mail investigation.


From his home in Cleckheaton he said: "I really wish I hadn't done this to Royal Mail; they are a good company and were always good to me. "I am so sorry for what I have done and for blackening their name. "I did not do anything maliciously. My life was being made hell and I could not cope with it. I believe the attacks made me slide into a kind of depression."


Pearson said he had always felt different and started wearing his mother's underwear from the young age of four. He has been openly wearing women's clothes for eight years now, but his wife has only known about his cross-dressing for three years.


Mrs Pearson is still finding it difficult with the fact that he is on the NHS waiting list for a sex change but for the moment she remains by his side. His son laughs at him and calls him "ladyman".


Pearson said: "I am glad Jamie finds it funny. I encourage him to talk about it - I feel it's important we have a healthy approach to my transexuality." Pearson had always tried to keep it from the workplace and dressed in the standard Royal Mail unisex uniform of trousers and jacket. But as he struggled with his secret he became more of a recluse at work.


He said: "It was hard at work, I found it hard to relate to the guys without them knowing what I was going through. But my secret is out now, so now people will know what it was like for me."


After the court hearing a Royal Mail spokesman said: "We have a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and women, who are honest and hardworking and who do all they can to protect the mail and deliver it safely.


"We will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust."


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Snippets


Roof Sign Nicked


Report Date: January 2007 Newquay.


Police in Newquay are appealing for information after a roof-mounted taxi sign was stolen from a car parked in Cliff Road. It was stolen between 10.40pm and 11pm on December 27 but only reported to police later. Call the police on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting crime reference GN/07/41.


Coventry Taxi Plate stolen


Report Date: January 2007


A HACKNEY plate was stolen from a taxi parked in Hamilton Terrace, Leamington.


The number 141 plate, which was issued by Warwick District Council allows the vehicle to carry six passengers and expires at the end of June 2007.


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Hertsmere set for 12% fare increase this month.


Report Date: January 2007 Borehamwood Times


Hertsmere Borough Council, which sets the tariffs for the eight black cabs operating in the area, agreed the steep rise because the fares have been frozen for three years. The change means the borough will have the fifth most expensive fares in the country.


But Councillor Leon Reefe, a London taxi driver and member of the council's licensing committee said the rise was long overdue. He said: "Unfortunately the number of taxis in Hertsmere has dwindled because drivers can't make it pay. "The cost of fuel in the past three years has gone up astronomically."


Hackney carriage drivers wrote to the council to complain that Hertsmere was one of only seven boroughs in the country not to have had a fare increase since September 2003. Passengers currently pay £2 for the first 400 metres travelled and 20p for each additional 180m. From February 1, passengers will pay £2.20 for the first 321m and 20p for every 165m after that.


Phil Andrews, the council's principal licensing officer, said taxi drivers had wanted to bring the borough's fares to the same level as cabs in London. But he added: "Hertsmere is a district of Hertfordshire and we do border very closely to metropolitan districts but we don't suffer the traffic problems that they do in London."


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It sounds Disgraceful but was the Principle right?


Before anyone condemns Arun district council for prosecuting a pensioner perhaps we should look at the implications behind their actions? What if the Pensioner had been a young man in his twenties who went around posting flyers through letterboxes advertising the same service for a fee of six pounds, would we not raise our eyebrows? We Probably would raise our eyebrows if the six pounds charge was for the carrying of "passengers" and "their dogs" but how far must the line be drawn before such a service is deemed to have breached hire and reward legislation. This ruling has the added ingredient of charitable status but nevertheless the implications are there for all to see.


The story issued by the press association is as follows.


Judge condemns council's 'disgraceful' pet ambulance prosecution


A judge today condemned as "disgraceful" a local council's decision to pursue a 72-year-old to the High Court over the pet ambulance service he provided for other elderly people.


The judge said Derrick Spooner, of Bewley Road, Angmering, West Sussex, donated all the proceeds to charity.


But Arun District Council prosecuted him, saying that he should have obtained a private hire vehicle licence to ferry pets between their owners' homes and local vets in the back of his estate car.


Council officials argued he needed a licence because the pets' owners occasionally accompanied them.


Worthing magistrates threw out the council's case in July last year.


But the council decided to challenge the magistrates' decision at the High Court in London, running up a total legal costs bill unofficially estimated at £10,000.


Today Lord Justice Thomas, sitting with Mrs Justice Dobbs, condemned the council's decision to appeal to the High Court as a "quite extraordinary way to spend public money". The judge told the council's barrister Kris Berlevy: "Here is your authority prosecuting a 72-year-old man, who was helping other elderly people take their pets to the vet.


"It should never have been brought in the first place, and to pursue it against a 72-year-old man in this court is disgraceful."


After retiring in 1999, Mr Spooner adapted his estate car to include a cage to hold animals. The vehicle was registered as an ambulance with the DVLA and was comprehensively insured. He ran into trouble with the local authority after distributing leaflets advertising the service, charging £6 a time to transport pets to and from local vets.


The charge was made to cover the costs of running the car, with an excess of around 20% to 25% which he donated in charity collection boxes at the last surgery he visited each day. In January 2004, council officers warned him he would have to apply for a private hire vehicle licence.


He stopped providing the service but restarted it the following December intending to transport pets only. He admitted taking their owners in 5% of cases. These mostly involved emergency situations, or when the owners were required by the vet.


He was prosecuted, but Worthing magistrates found he did not need a private hire vehicle licence and was not guilty of any offence as carrying passengers was not the "purpose" of his pet service.


Today Lord Justice Thomas agreed with the magistrates, saying: "It seems to me that the magistrates were entitled to find that the purpose was not the carriage of passengers, but the carriage of pets.


"It seems to me that the important finding was the fact that no additional charge was made for the carriage of the passengers and that the passengers were only carried in an emergency or when the vet required attendance."


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MUM'S FURY AS PAEDO IRISH CABBY GETS JUST 8 MONTHS AFTER GUILTY PLEA


Report Date: January 2007


Sarah Jellema of the Mirror reports the mother of a six-year-old girl indecently assaulted by a family friend told yesterday of her anger at the paedophile's lenient sentence.


The mum - who cannot be named to protect the identity of her daughter spoke to the Daily Mirror about the lighter sentence the sick offender received as a result of his guilty plea.


Taxi driver Matthew John Nixon was jailed for eight months on Tuesday after admitting the assault which took place on New Year's night 2005.


But the 57-year-old, of Forest Park, Derry, walked free from the city's Magistrates Court after being granted bail to await an appeal of the sentence. The mum said: "As far as I'm concerned if someone pleads guilty there's no doubt that they did the crime and therefore should receive the maximum sentence possible. This man abused my child and got eight months and once he goes to prison he could be out in four - that's nothing.


"Even now he's out on the streets when I think he is still a threat. I just hope my little girl doesn't happen to bump into him. She's terrified."


The girl, who is now eight, is receiving counselling. Father of seven and grandfather of six Nixon, who is now on the Sex Offenders' Register, was granted bail on the condition he has no unsupervised contact with children.


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Aberdeen Taxi drivers push for night-clubs curfew


Report date: January 2007


Ross Reid of the Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that Taxi drivers in Aberdeen are calling on the city council to install a night-club curfew to reduce street violence.


Aberdeen Taxi Group believes stopping customers entering clubs by up to an hour before closing time could cut the amount of late-night crime in the city.


The group's chairman, Russell McLeod, said shortening entry time would limit the number of people pouring into the city centre at the same time. Mr Russell said he is not against the 3am opening hours, but thinks it would be a good idea that clubs ban people from entering 45 to 60 minutes before closure.


In a report submitted to Aberdeen City Council's licensing board, which is due to discuss the matter today, Mr McLeod said: "One of the main problems in the city centre at weekends is the sheer volume of people who all converge on to Union Street at 3am - up to 20,000 is the police estimate.


"This is a problem that is mirrored in every other city in the UK."


He said that to stagger the crowds, or take "some pressure off" at closing time, some cities had introduced curfews and the group believed this might "have a benefit in trying to move revellers more quickly".


He said the board felt that between 45 to 60 minutes before a club closed, entry should be banned. He added that it could encourage people to join taxi queues earlier, reducing the busy 3am rush.


Mr McLeod said other cities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, have successfully tried similar schemes. Although he conceded "club owners may be reluctant to buy into this idea", he has urged councillors to consider the move.


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Crisis meeting to be held over spate of attacks on Leeds cab drivers


Report date: January 2007


Yorkshire Evening Post reported POLICE chiefs and politicians are to hold a crisis meeting over the violent attacks on cab drivers in east Leeds. Following the spate of attacks on private hire drivers, which has seen seven people arrested, some areas of Leeds, including parts of Gipton, have become "no go areas" for drivers.


Gangs of yobs have been striking in the Seacroft and Gipton areas - in some instances surrounding vehicles, assaulting drivers and threatening them with knives - before stealing equipment and cash. Gipton and Harehills councillor Javaid Akhtar has called for an urgent meeting to deal with the growing problem of violence against cabbies. The meeting today will be attended by officials from West Yorkshire Police Authority and Leeds City Council.


Coun Akhtar said: "Following the attacks in both Gipton and Seacroft this weekend, the need for greater safety measures for both taxi drivers and the public is more pressing than ever. "It seems that taxis are being deliberately targeted in East Leeds for desirable items such as mobile phones and satellite navigation systems. This problem does not only affect the driver of the cab, but any passenger who may be in the taxi when an attack takes place.


"We do not want to see parts of Leeds becoming no-go areas for taxis and private hire vehicles, and that goes for any other part of the city. That's why improved safety measures need to be put in place as soon as possible."


Mini cab drivers have been contacting the YEP in droves to tell of their experiences at the hands of yobs. Private hire firm Roadrunners have banned drivers entering parts of Gipton. Operations manager Jody Hodgson said: "It is just not worth it with the current escalation of violence."


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One-armed cabbie drops his appeal


January 9, 2007 Tuesday


Gloucestershire Echo reports that a One-armed cabbie has dropped an appeal against his conviction for assaulting a private hire driver at Cheltenham Racecourse.


Nicholas Tustin, 43, of Pendil Close, Cheltenham and fellow driver Dean Partridge, of Arle Road, Cheltenham, were found guilty of common assault by Cheltenham magistrates and ordered to pay a total of £1,200 costs and compensation.


Both men intended to appeal against their convictions. Partridge dropped his and now Tustin has done the same. The attack followed a long-standing turf war between private hire and Hackney carriage drivers in Cheltenham dating back six years.


Cheltenham magistrates heard the assaults were committed after Tustin and Partridge left Cheltenham Racecourse with friends on October 26, 2005.


The pair were furious when they saw two private hire drivers parked in a spot reserved for Hackney drivers outside the course's south entrance. Private hire driver Luke Bennett protested his case and a fight broke out. As he tried to film the attack on his mobile phone Mr Bennett was punched by Partridge and punched and kicked by Tustin.


James Tucker, representing Tustin, withdrew his appeal at Gloucester Crown Court before Judge Jamie Tabor QC.


He said the appeal had been based on prosecution evidence that Tustin punched out with his right arm, even though Tustin doesn't have a right arm.


He said in the prosecution papers that some other element of physical contact was alleged against Tustin and he decided not to pursue the appeal.


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South Shields Cabbies shout for more security!


South Shields cabbies are shouting at their local council for better security inside vehicles such as CCTV but the rest of the country including Taxi Today, Taxi Driver Online, the NTA, T&G and every other Taxi related publication is "SCREAMING" at local Councillors and Government Ministers for immediate action.


Last month Taxi Driver Online reported on the South Shields Taxi driver robbed of his nights takings by one Richard Spottiswood. Spottiswood was prosecuted and found guilty of the offence of Robbery at Newcastle Crown Court and jailed for four years in January.


Local Taxi Firm boss Dave Kennedy is now backing national calls inline with the whole of the UK Taxi trade including Taxi Driver Online and Taxi Today in asking elected councillors and Government ministers to make Taxi driver security their main priority. Spottiswood was identified through CCTV footage from a camera in the taxi firm's office and it is this type of equipment that we believe should be made available to all hackney carriage and Private hire drivers regardless of who pays?


Dave Kennedy, manager of Bede Taxis in Sheldon Street, Jarrow, believes putting cameras in cabs could help prevent similar attacks and deter fare dodgers. He said: "The cameras would be welcomed by the drivers. "We have got CCTV in our office and it has helped us to catch a lot of runners by giving footage to the police." Spottiswood's victim, a taxi driver of six years, has also backed the calls for CCTV, originally made by cabbies in Newcastle.


He said: "I would back cameras being put into taxis all the way. "I think it would put a lot of people off from not paying their fares knowing they are on camera. "It would also make drivers feel a lot safer." CCTV is already installed on buses and the Metro, but the cost could be a barrier to installing cameras in taxis. Drivers estimate it will cost about £500 per car. A spokesman for South Tyneside Council, which licenses vehicles, said: "The council imposes a number of conditions on licensed vehicles to ensure they are safe for taxi drivers, passengers and other road users.


JD of Taxi Driver Online was informed by the Information commissioners office that at the moment registration for fixed cameras is not necessary and that a decision on the matter will be made within two or three months.


This means that for the time being there is no requirement to display details of phone numbers or contact details where the data can be obtained. It is advisable to install notification stating that CCTV is in operation. Should registration be mandatory then notices and contact details will also be mandatory. The current registration fee is £35 per year.


"Taxi Driver Online advises all hackney carriage and private hire drivers to contact the Information Commissioner's Office on (0162) 554 5700 before installing and using fixed CCTV equipment."


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Watford Junction welcomes back Hackney's.


Report Date: Jan 2007


The Watford Observer reported that after nearly three years of protests, blockades and arrests, hackney carriages have returned to the forecourt at Watford Junction train station. Train operator Silverlink's decision to re-open the rank to the hackneys means commuters will once again be able to catch cabs right outside the station's doors free from legal ambiguity.


Three years ago Silverlink negotiated an exclusive contract with private hire firm AA United, kicking the hackneys off the forecourt.


Travellers were left having to catch a private hire cab via a complicated ticket system.


The decision to exclude the hackneys in 2004 provoked a series of demonstrations at the station by drivers, which included blockading the forecourt on a number of occasions.


The AA contract has now expired and a gate system has been installed at the station so any driver with a hackney licence who pays the appropriate fee can gain access and ply for hire.


Silverlink's retail manager, Hugh Jennings, said: "We were very happy with AA, who had provided private hire services at the stations for two years.


"With their contract coming to an end we took the opportunity to see whether there was any way we could improve the services offered at the station.


"With the deregulation of these services in Watford many more taxis have become available and we saw an opportunity here for our customers.


"Very positive discussions with the WHCDA resulted in an agreement about rental, quality of vehicles and code of conduct, and I am delighted to welcome them back onto the forecourt." ______________________________________________________


JD's Opinion


Purbeck Tuc Tuc's


The licensing of two Tuc Tuc vehicles in Purbeck as hackney carriages might come as a surprise to most people but it has been on the cards for some considerable time. Purbeck will alter their conditions of vehicle license in order to accommodate these vehicles so they can sit on Taxi ranks and ply for hire. The committee agreed the proposals at a licensing panel meeting on 18th January.


This council decision does not mean Purbeck will license any old type of Tuc Tuc, Purbeck licensing department informed me that each application will be judged on its merits.


Mistaken Identity.


Both police and journalists are not normally known for their accuracy in distinguishing between private hire and hackney carriage drivers or their vehicles, however you would think they might know the difference between a 12 or 15 seater minibus and a Taxi? Sadly that is not the case in Trafford because they confused us all by reporting the minibus and driver involved in a rape incident in Partington as being licensed as a Taxi. I am glad I stuck by my instincts and discovered the truth in this matter but I now call on both Trafford and Manchester licensing departments to get the details from Trafford CID of the owner of this minibus and the Private hire firm it is attached. I think the activity of this vehicle and the way it is or was being operated needs further investigation.


Hackney's Return to Watford Junction


Do you recall the Battle of Watford Junction, where Silverlink took on the might of the T&G? If you aren't familiar with the event then you might be oblivious to the fact that Silverlink won the battle but not before suffering a few bruises along the way.


I've heard it said that one Battle does not necessarily win a war and perhaps that assumption is correct because after three years of exclusion from the station Taxi rank Silverlink has capitulated and allowed Hackney carriages to once again ply for hire on the station forecourt. There is a long history to this saga, which I'm sure many are familiar with and each side in my opinion has to shoulder a share of the blame for the closure of the station rank. Hopefully the war is now over and both sides can enjoy a long and lasting meaningful dialogue for the foreseeable future.


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SLOUGH TAXI DRIVERS DEMAND MORE RANKS


ANGRY taxi drivers went on strike to demand more ranks and a chance to compete for customers. New Hackney carriage drivers claim they are losing 90 per cent of business because they cannot compete for fares at Slough Train Station.


The 16 drivers also feel they are being failed by Slough Borough Council who has not provided more Hackney carriage ranks after the deregulation of licences in 2005.


Younis Rashid is one of the drivers who went on strike on Wednesday in Slough High Street. He said: “We all invested in new vehicles and took all the exams, but we are being prevented from offering a good service to the people of the town.


“We thought we would be able to pick up fares from anywhere, but we are stuck outside Marks and Spencer getting £4 fares and being squeezed out of business.” First Great Western has given the contract to operate from the station to the Hackney Carriage Federation, which cannot afford to invite new members to join.


Secretary of the Hackney Carriage Federation, Som Shinh, blames the council He said: “They deregulated the number of licenses without creating more ranks. At the time they said there was a need for drivers, but there is not the work.”


The new Hackney carriage drivers can compete for passengers outside Marks and Spencer, The Grove, back of the Observatory and Queensmere and outside Slough Library at weekends. The drivers chose to sign up for the licence because unlike private hire drivers they can be flagged down and they do not need to wait at their office for a call out.


Cllr Mohammed Aziz joined the protesters to discuss their concerns and now hopes to organise a meeting between all parities.


A spokeswoman for Slough Borough Council said: “The taxi rank at Slough Railway Station is subject to a private contract between First Group and the Slough Hackney Carriage Federation. It is on private property and the council has no power to intervene. “The council is aware of the lack of other hackney carriage stands and we have already undertaken a study, the results of which recommended more taxi ranks across the borough.


“We are hoping to put these in place as soon as possible which we hope will reduce some of the concerns of the new taxi drivers and help provide a better service for the people of Slough.”


A spokeswoman for First Great Western added: “All stations have a specific contract with a taxi organisation to make sure that are customers are safely able to complete their onward journey and arrive at their destination.”


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Knowledge demand for Malvern taxi drivers


TAXI drivers in the Malvern Hills district should once more be required to pass a test on their knowledge of local geography.


The test was abolished towards the end of 2005 because it was time-consuming to administer and considered to add little value. However, since that decision was taken, there has been an increase of over 40 drivers, many based in Worcester and working in Malvern.


"Although no direct complaints have been received, instances of prolonging journeys due to lack of local knowledge have been highlighted," said Ivor Humphrey, MHDC's head of customer and environmental services. He said that at a meeting of the Open Taxi Forum local dribers asked for the knowledge test to be reintroduced. And at Tuesday's meeting of the council's executive committee, members are being recommended to approve its reintroduction.


They are also being asked to approve the introduction of disability training for taxi drivers. If it is approved, drivers will have to attend a disability awareness-training workshop as one of the conditions of getting their license.


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Black cab fare rise 'unfair'


Report Date: Jan 2007


BLACK cab drivers have been told their proposals for new fare increases are unfair.


Council bosses rejected calls from the Bury Hackney Carriage Association (BHCA) to extend the late night tariff to cover the whole weekend, including the daytime on Saturdays.


This would force shoppers to fork out a minimum of £3.30 for a one mile journey, excluding waiting times, as opposed to the existing minimum charge of £2.70 for the same distance.


However, Hackney Carriages Farebay Ltd, based in Bury town centre, objected to the increased weekend tariff and has even called for the current fare tariff in force between 11pm on Saturday to 6am on Monday to be reduced to the lower tariff, citing an increase in demand from passengers during the day on Sundays.


The BHCA, which represents 98 of the borough's 120 self-employed black cab drivers, and Farebay were united in proposals to see the existing fares tariff for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve working increased from £3 for the first half a mile journey to £4 with the remainder of the distance charged at 20p per 80 yards compared with the current 10p per 50 yards.


At a special meeting of Bury Council's licensing and safety panel last week, councillors rejected the application for variations to the hackney carriage fare table saying some of the proposed fare increase were too high.


Mr Charles Oakes, chairman of the BHCA, said the high fare increases were designed to bring Bury in line with surrounding boroughs, including Manchester and Bolton He said: "The fares charged in Bury are well below the national average and a lot less than those charged by our colleagues in Bolton and Manchester. Unfortunately, we would need a big leap to bring the fares in line with neighbouring authorities and then future increases would be more reasonable."


Mr Oakes said the proposal for extending the weekend tariff to include Saturdays has now been withdrawn and talks are ongoing with the council to resolve the matter.


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Woman racially abused taxi driver


A DRUNKEN woman racially abused an Asian taxi driver as tried to drive her to Breightmet, a court was told.


Bolton magistrates heard that Tara Griffiths, who was carrying a bottle of cider, got into the front passenger seat of his car when he collected her from a house in Longfield Road, Morris Green. She refused to give Farook Ahmed a destination address and swore at and racially abused him as he drove.


At one point, she began kicking the dashboard and tried to grab hold of the steering wheel and gear lever.


Mr Ahmed eventually sought help from officers in a police car at Bolton Retail Park and she was arrested.


Griffiths, aged 25, of Lenham Gardens, Breightmet continued screaming and swearing, kicking the inside of a police van and punched a civilian detention officer in the back when put into a police cell. Griffiths, who has previous convictions, mainly for disorderly conduct, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment and assault.


Describing Griffiths' behaviour as despicable, Leigh Morgan, defending, said: "She has a very severe problem with alcohol and it seems to have spiralled out of control."


Griffiths was given a community order for 24 months with supervision and ordered to attend the women's Think First alcohol programme. She was also ordered to pay £43 costs. _______________________________________________________


Taxi licences set for three-year renewal cycle


Report Date: January 2007


This is what Taxi Driver Online calls a sensible decision. There is no unearthly need to issue licenses on an annual basis. All that is required is an annual statutory declaration and regular CRB checks.


Evening Courier Halifax reports that TAXI drivers in Calderdale will only have to apply for a licence every three years.


A meeting of Calderdale Council's Licensing Committee reviewed the application process and decided that cabbies would apply every three years, rather than annually as at present.


New drivers will be able to apply for a one-year licence for their first three years in the business before moving on to the three-year system.


This will bring licence renewal into line with Criminal Records Bureau checks, which are completed every three years.


The committee rejected a proposal to give drivers the choice of either a one-year or three-year licence.


Bryan Smith (Lab, Ovenden) said: "Our understanding is that the majority of taxi drivers do support the three-year licence for the future."


And David Ginley (Con, Warley) supported the change, saying: "I think three year licences seem perfectly reasonable in view of the staff cost savings and inconvenience to the driver."


The cost to drivers will remain the same, with a one-year licence costing £81 and a three-year costing £243.


The licensing department would review the process after 12 months and any savings would be passed on to the drivers.


Martin Peel (Con, Sowerby Bridge) expressed concern about the up-front costs to new drivers. He said: "I have driven private hire taxis years ago and the financial constraints on the drivers are extreme, what with fuel costs, the radio, medical and criminal checks.


"These people really should not be penalised more than they already are."


There are 765 private hire drivers and 151 hackney carriage drivers in Calderdale


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Taxicab will take anti-drugs message onto the streets


Report date: January 2007


A report from the Liverpool Daily Post states that A TAXI driver is being used by Merseyside Police in their latest bid to crack down on drugs in Wirral.


The borough's police have bought up advertising on the side of the taxi, which will be spreading the anti-drugs message day and night for the next 12 months.


Adverts are also running on buses, billboards, and phone boxes throughout the borough. They are highlighting the success of the multi-agency award-winning operation that targets drug dealing and crimes connected to it.


The adverts will also advise members of the public how to take a stand against those dealing drugs in their area by providing anonymous information to Crimestoppers.


Officers have been working with Wirral Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), recently named Merseyside Police "Team of the Year" by Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe.


Inspector Ian Shaw thanked those who had helped officers, and said information from the public has been vital to the operation's success. He said: "We want to continue to send out the strong message that if you're dealing drugs, then we will target and arrest you."


"People do have a choice. They can live next door to drug dealers who have a constant stream of people knocking on their door for their latest supplies.


"Or, if they don't want their children or grandchildren growing up in this sort of environment, they can make a stand."


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Taxi firm's parking fury


January 2007


Essex Chronicle reports that a Town's taxi firm says new parking rules proposed for the street where it is based are going to damage its business.


Knight's Taxis in Witham fears its cars are going to be unable to wait outside its office when a proposed 'residents only' parking rule comes into force.


The firm has operated in Witham for more than 20 years and has 17 cars. For years it has allowed its taxi drivers to stop temporarily outside the office in Guithavon Street while they are not out on jobs.


But now Essex County Council is set to bring in a rule allowing only residents of the street to park there - and the taxis will have nowhere to go.


A county council spokeswoman said the new parking rules were only a proposal at present, and there would be public consultation before they were introduced.


She said the firm had been offered a lay-by near its offices for parking, but had turned it down.


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Cabbie 'refused a wheelchair fare'


Report date: January 2007


MATT FLEMING of the evening Herald Reports that a hackney cab driver in Plymouth could have his licence revoked for allegedly refusing to pick up disabled passengers - on 'at least three occasions'.


John Tregea, who has held a Plymouth City Council black cab licence since before 1996, has been called before the council's licensing committee accused of refusing to pick up wheelchair users.


Mr Tregea has been summoned after the council received a complaint from a member of the public on November 27, last year.


The complaint alleged that Mr Tregea - and 'others' - had refused to take a wheelchair bound passenger to their destination.


But yesterday, a Hackney cab source claimed that Mr Tregea 'has a bad back' and was unable to get the wheelchair user in his taxi.


A licensing report released prior to the case said that on November 26, 2006, at the Hackney Carriage stand in Old Town Street, 'a woman approached the first taxi with her mother, who was in a wheelchair'.


The report said: "The first taxi driver attempted to take the wheelchair and four other passengers in the group - which included a toddler in a pushchair - but had to refuse the fare as his taxi was not licensed to take this amount of passengers.


"Mr Tregea was second in the rank and allegedly told the complainant that he did not take wheelchairs, thereby refusing to take a fare from the rank without good reason. This was witnessed by the driver in a taxi, fourth in the line, and was confirmed in a letter sent by that driver to the licensing office on November 29, 2006."


The report said that Mr Tregea's taxi is licensed to carry five passengers - and is wheelchair accessible. It added that the council sent a letter to all the drivers in the incident, asking them for explanations, and replies were received from all but Mr Tregea.


The report said: "Previous to this incident, on June 28, 2006, another wheelchair-bound passenger was refused to be driven by Mr Tregea. Again the incident was on the Hackney Carriage stand in Old Town Street. The same vehicle was involved and the complainant stated in a letter that they were waved away by the driver."


A letter was sent from the licensing office on June 29, warning Mr Tregea - and outlining four key facts: The vehicle was wheelchair accessible, it was on a Hackney Carriage stand, available for hire; the driver was Mr Tregea and he had refused to carry a wheelchair user. Mr Tregea does not hold a medical exemption from carrying wheelchairs.


The report said that 'as far back as November 9, 1996, a complaint was lodged against Mr Tregea for a similar matter. He was interviewed on December 17, 1996, with regard to this matter, and said in his statement that he did not remember the incident, and made no comment to the questions'.


The council can 'suspend, revoke or refuse to renew' a taxi driver's licence. Mr Tregea, whose licence expires in July 2009, has been invited to appear before the council's licensing committee at the Council House on January 23.


He is accused of refusing to take a wheelchair passenger 'without reasonable excuse'.


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BOSSES AGREE RETHINK OVER CONTROVERSIAL TAXI DRIVER TEST


Report date: January 18, 2007


The Northern Echo reports that Hambleton District council bosses have agreed to review the introduction of an advanced driving test after cabbies said it would not improve safety.


Sixty-three taxi drivers packed into North-Allerton Football Club on Tuesday night to discuss Hambleton District Council's new licensing policy.


It was approved in November and requires existing drivers to pass a taxi assessment test from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) before their licences are renewed at the end of July. New drivers have to pass it by January 31.


Cabbies said the new test would reduce the number of drivers and affect school and social services contracts.


One taxi firm owner said that four of his drivers had handed their notice in rather than go through the test, which costs about (GBP) 60.


North-Allerton taxi driver John Hyde said: "It is not that most of us think we would have a problem with passing it, it is that we do not think we should have to pay a fee to prove that we are competent to be doing what we have been doing for the last ten or 15 years."


Drivers said they had not been consulted about the test because it was added to the council's draft policy after they were informed about potential changes.


Martyn Richards, the council's head of legal services, gave a presentation to the meeting. He said: "I accept consultation on the DSA test has not been ideal."


He said the policy will now go back to the council's licensing committee on February 9 for members to consider the latest representations by taxi drivers. The policy will then go before full council on Tuesday, February 27.


Mr Richards said he still believed the advanced test was a good idea. He said: "I make no apology for this because the council's primary concern in licensing taxis is the safety and comfort of customers. It is not necessarily to look after the interests of the taxi drivers. We actually think that any competent taxi driver should be able to pass."


But Tony Lemmon, the owner of Brompton Taxis, said the test was unlikely to improve safety.


He said: "North-Allerton taxi rank is in a busy area. You have got people walking out in front of cars and pulling out in front of you, but there have been no accidents.


"If that is not safe driving, I do not know what is."


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Swansea Cabbie had no licence


January 2007


A Taxi driver operated a cab without insurance or a private hire licence, Swansea magistrates have heard.


Carl Michael, of Llangwm, Penplas, admitted carrying out the two offences on September 22. He was ordered to pay £250 in fines and costs, and had eight penalty points attached to his licence.


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Edinburgh at War.


For some considerable time and from varying elements of the local spectrum there has been constant opposition to Edinburgh City council's policy of restricting hackney carriage operator licenses. Edinburgh council restricts these types of licenses to 1260 because councillors believe this number is adequate for the needs of their 450.000 citizens and the numerous visitors who enjoy the Scottish Capitols fine facilities in respect of business, Tourism and Entertainment?


The issue of quantity controls is to be played out in the Scottish Court of Session in Edinburgh next month when the City council appeals the 2006 decision of Sheriff Principal Bowen to refuse them an extension of time beyond the statutory six months to determine three license applications.


Edinburgh council is also appealing a fourth identical application denied by Sheriff Horsburgh and a fifth applicant has agreed to have his case sisted on the outcome of these appeals. In total five applications are to be determined and no matter what the verdict might be, a precedent is likely to be set in determining this type of application based on section 3.1 of the Civic Government Scotland act 1982.


In addition to these appeals Mr Jim Taylor a respected Edinburgh Taxi driver has submitted an application for a Taxi operators license knowing full well that his application is likely to be refused based on nothing more than Edinburgh City councils stated desire to restrict licenses.


Mr Taylor believes the outcome of his application has already been decided even though the law implies that every application should be judged on its own merits and that those empowered to make such decisions to grant licenses should not fetter their discretion by blindly adhering to council policy?


Mr Taylor is resigned to the fact that his application is doomed to failure but he is also aware that such a refusal carries with it a right of appeal. Mr Taylor has told Taxi Driver Online that "councillors will refuse his application" on the grounds that there is no unmet demand for Taxis in the area of Edinburgh? If Mr Taylor's assessment of Edinburgh City councillors is correct, then he is suggesting they have already fettered their discretion by only considering their own policy and disregarding the merit of his own application?


Mr Taylor is confident in his prediction of what Edinburgh councillors will say and I must admit, on the evidence before me, I 'm inclined to agree? However we have to look beyond their reasoning and examine the evidence of why councillors think there is no unmet demand for the services of additional Taxis?


In July 2005 Jacobs consulting completed a market research survey into Taxi demand commissioned by Edinburgh City council in February 2005. By virtue of Coyle v Glasgow City council and Dundee Taxi cab co ltd v Dundee City council; Scottish law dictates that a licensing authority must be in possession of evidence of demand when an application under section 10.3 of the Civic Government Scotland act falls to be considered. In addition, when applying a policy that reflects the need for a fixed number of licenses, which was derived from an historical survey carried out some 20 months previous, did not amount to a "recent assessment" or a "checking" of the position in respect of the current demand for Taxis?


In Dundee it was stated that "the committee had accordingly failed to apply their minds to the question of unmet demand at the time of considering the application and there was no proper basis on which they could be satisfied that there was no significant unmet demand at that stage."


We therefore consider the facts of what we assume will be the backbone of Mr Taylor's refusal?


To refuse Mr Taylor's application Edinburgh city council will rely on an historical survey some 20 months old, that being the same age as the survey relied upon by Dundee city council. Likewise Edinburgh council, according to their committee minutes has not measured demand since July 2005, therefore under the ruling in both Coyle and Dundee, they will fall foul of the independent evidence required to refuse Mr Taylor's application. We therefore have a scenario which is identical to that of Dundee but as we already know the court of session has given its ruling on what a council must do in order to refuse an applicant under section 10.3 of the 1982 act.


Mr Taylor believes Edinburgh City council is up the Swanee without a paddle and he could well be right?


Mr Taylor goes on to say that the Jacobs survey undertaken for Edinburgh City council was amateurish and incompetent. He has compiled evidence, which he believes will prove ex Jacobs consultant Mr Ian Millership's assessment of the evidence obtained by virtue of video camera and telephone interview is grossly inaccurate and at best guess work?


He states that practically all the survey evidence was obtained by way of video camera and that assessment on the ground was practically non existent. He goes on to say that Mr Millership made no investigation in respect of the then £40,000 license plate scarcity value and that he grossly under estimated the volume of work generated by Taxi Radio companies. Mr Taylor says that on investigation many of the Hotel staff contacted to determine demand were no more than casual labour and that Jacobs made a conscious decision not to assess the street hailing market?


Mr Taylor points to the fact that Jacobs submitted the second lowest Tender which amounted to some £25,000 and that by coincidence Ian Millership is on record as telling the National Taxi association at their 2005 AGM when he volunteered the question. "How do you obtain a good Survey of Unmet Demand"? "Well I am afraid most of the time it does go on price." Considering the highest tender was £160,050 and Jacobs submitted the second lowest tender at £25,000 can we assume that under Mr Millership's prognosis Edinburgh City council has got what they paid for?


Jacobs Consultancy who is reported to have changed its name 4 times in 6 years is noted for getting things wrong. It was Jacobs who misinformed Liverpool city council in respect of their 2005 survey that "Sefton council have court backing for a five yearly review". The Liverpool survey report was prepared by KIERON BRIDGES reviewed by IAN MILLERSHIP and approved by MIKE LAMPKIN. If Liverpool is anything to go by it would appear that all three are unfamiliar with the legal background surrounding market research surveys because no court in the land has ever given a council special dispensation to conduct a review every five years. In fact outside of Scotland the time frame of a survey has never been determined or ruled upon in an English or Welsh court of law?


Edinburgh tendering process by cost.


TRi/Fauber Maunsell £160,050. Points 39


Colin Buchanan and Partners £126,488. Points 49.5


Halcrow £33,552. Points 57


Jacobs Consultancy £25,000. Points