Taxi Driver Online

belfast

A Belfast taxi firm has terminated the employment of a driver over a video which shows him brandishing a suspected firearm and threatening passengers.

Police have said they are investigating the circumstances of the video.

In the video posted on social media, a driver for FonaCab points what appears to be a gun at another man in the front passenger seat of his car.

At one point the driver hits the other man in the face with it.

The footage appears to have been taken from a dashcam inside the taxi.

The BBC has identified the location in the background as a car park in Holywood, County Down.

In a statement, FonaCab told BBC News NI it was made aware of dashcam footage of an incident involving a FonaCab driver about 23:00 BST on 31 May.

"The driver was identified and called this morning to present at the earliest opportunity/ASAP to FonaCab Head Office, at which time he was interviewed and his relationship with FonaCab immediately terminated," it said.

'Called into disrepute'
A spokesperson for the Belfast taxi firm said it was liaising with the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and any further action would be determined by them.

"Our investigation was completed and our action taken before the footage was released on social media," the firm said.

"Due to the nature of the content of the footage, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on the footage while other investigations are undertaken."

FonaCab added that its staff receive the same training and vetting as all taxi drivers in Northern Ireland and it expects them to maintain high standards.

"We do not tolerate incidents like this where safety is compromised, standards are not upheld, or the company and our drivers are called into disrepute."

Police have said they are "aware of a video circulating online showing a man with a suspected firearm and have launched an investigation".

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

Of all the areas to pi** around like that with guns, Belfast has got to be the worst one to do it.

A large number of taxi drivers have been killed there, so it's really not funny.

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IDFIMH

Idiot has now been charged by the Police.

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/man- ... n-27047761

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IDFIMH

and may he get his just rewards for his stupidity

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

The plot thickens.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news ... 04381.html

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IDFIMH

Courts still don’t want to release him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern- ... 750123.amp

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IDFIMH

just because no complaint was made doesn't mean he wasn't waving a weapon around. I would say the courts have got it right

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

Possession in itself is a serious matter that leads to custody.

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IDFIMH

Given bail.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67725897

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IDFIMH

we get all the paedos being rehoused so perhaps you get the gun crime ones

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

FonaCab: Brian Stalford to face trial over suspected gun taxi video



A taxi driver accused of threatening a passenger with an imitation gun will stand trial later this year.

Brian Alexander Stalford, 49, appeared remotely at Belfast Crown Court on Monday where he denied three charges.

He is facing trial for allegedly using a replica pistol to strike a passenger over a suspected drugs debt.

Former FonaCab driver Mr Stalford, of Park Avenue in Belfast, was arrested after dash-cam footage of the incident was shared on social media last year.

It is believed the recording took place in Holywood, County Down, some time between March and June, last year.

Mr Stalford was later sacked as a FonaCab driver after the footage began to circulate on 1 June.

He accepts being in the footage, but denies the charges of possessing an intimidation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, common assault and making threats to kill.

Mr Stalford previously claimed the incident had been a "consensual planned prank".

At court on Monday, Mr Stalford denied a charge that he possessed an imitation firearm, namely a handgun resembling a Desert Eagle self-loading pistol, with intent to cause fear of violence.

He also pleaded not guilty to assaulting a front seat passenger and threatening to kill the same male on the same date.

Judge Donna McColgan KC in asked about defence statements and was told by the defence counsel there was a "slight issue in relation to the way in which this material came into the public domain".

Revealing the trial is expected to last no longer than three days, Judge McColgan set the date for the hearing as 10 April and said a review would be held in March.

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IDFIMH

Belfast taxi driver admits imitation gun charge linked to viral footage

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-69011087

A taxi driver has admitted a charge related to a video of him pointing what appeared to be a gun at another man that was posted on social media.

Brian Alexander Stalford was initially charged with three offences.

However, on Tuesday his solicitor asked for him to be re-arraigned on a charge of possessing an imitation firearm.

He then pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on a date between 1 March and 2 June 2023.

The court heard he possessed a handgun resembling a 'Desert Eagle' self-loading pistol.

Crown barrister Natalie Pinkerton told Judge Donna McColgan KC that the prosecution was leaving two remaining counts 'on the books' and they were not being proceeded with.

These counts were assaulting a front seat passenger and threatening to kill the same male, on a date between 1 March and 2 June 2023.

'Very serious charge'

Belfast taxi firm Fonacab terminated his employment after they were made aware of the footage in June 2023.

Judge McColgan said that as Stalford had admitted a "very serious charge", the consequences were "inevitable" and he was to be remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.

Mr Austin then asked that his client be granted continuing bail.

This, he said, was to allow Stalford to be examined by a number of defence experts including a psychologist which the solicitor said "can often prove to be extremely difficult" for defendants remanded in custody.

Mr Austin added that Stalford "has been on bail for a somewhat significant period of time" and has abided by all conditions.

The Crown barrister said the prosecution would not be applying to revoke his bail, but agreed that the consequences of his plea were "inevitable".

He was freed on continuing bail while awaiting sentencing.

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IDFIMH

It will be interesting as to which prison he ends up in since he will probably be a marked man.

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