A taxi driver was sentenced on Monday July 29, after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian outside a pub.
Muhammad Khan, had previously pleaded guilty to causing the death of Michael Slevin, on Valentine’s Day last year, by driving at excessive speed and without due care and attention.
The court heard how Khan was driving at nearly twice the speed limit when he struck Mr Slevin. It was raining heavily and dark at the time of the accident, although the street was well lit.
Mr Slevin, from Blackburn, West Lothian, had been socialising with friends at the Happy Valley Hotel.
CCTV footage showed him leaving the pub shortly before midnight, appearing unsteady on his feet. Mr Slevin had drunk two pints of Guinness and five whiskies over the course of the evening before leaving the pub at 11.45pm.
Tragically, he ended up lying in the road, and Khan, who admitted failing to maintain proper observations of the road ahead and failing to see the pedestrian dressed all in black, hit him.
The impact of the collision caused Mr Slevin to be dragged along the road for around 20 yards.
Khan then reversed his taxi, inadvertently running over the victim a second time.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but Mr Slevin was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Khan’s passengers told the court they had been uncomfortable with his speed and were about to ask him to slow down when the collision occurred.
Forensic evidence indicated Khan was driving at around 36mph in a 30mph zone and there was no evidence of breaking.
Defence counsel Simon Gilbride told the court that Khan was deeply remorseful for his actions and had suffered from flashbacks and nightmares since the incident.
He said that Khan was a first offender with no previous convictions and a clean driving licence.
Sheriff Susan Craig described the incident as a “horrible accident” telling Khan that no blame for the accident could be attached to Mr Slevin.
She said the fact that the accused was a professional driver was an aggravating factor as was the fact that his victim was a vulnerable road user.
She imposed a maximum tariff community sentence on Khan as a direct alternative to prison, electronically tagging him for 12 months on a 7pm to 7am curfew and ordering him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work within six months.
In addition, she banned him from driving for 32 months and told him he would remain disqualified until he sat and passed the extended test of competence to drive.
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
BYD, manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber, designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform across key global markets.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.
A pilot emissions reduction grant scheme providing financial support for hackney carriage drivers to upgrade to cleaner EURO 6 and fully battery powered vehicles has been launched.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.