A Dungannon woman who assaulted a taxi driver and fled without paying has been sentenced to four months in prison.

Margaret Melissa Stokes, 31, appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 29 November, via video link. She admitted charges of common assault and making off without payment.

The court heard that on May 28, 2023, the victim picked up Stokes in Banbridge and drove her to Portadown. When the driver offered to use a card reader for payment, Stokes became aggressive, pulled the driver's hair, and left without paying the fare.

CCTV footage identified Stokes as the culprit. She was arrested and denied the allegations, despite police evidence linking her to the incident.

A defence lawyer argued that Stokes had a troubled past and that her actions were triggered by the driver locking the car doors.

However, the court noted her extensive criminal record, which included 18 offences since March 2023.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan acknowledged Stokes' difficult circumstances but emphasised the seriousness of her actions.

He imposed a four-month prison sentence and a £25 offender levy.

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A van which police suspect was being used as an unofficial taxi has been seized.

Brierley Hill Police stopped the vehicle while they were on patrol on Friday 29 November, and found the driver had no insurance.

They said they seized the van and are making enquiries with the council. 

They posted on X: "We suspect it was being used as an unofficial taxi, the driver had no insurance either.

"We have seized the vehicle and will be making enquiries with the licensing department at the local council.

"Driver has been reported to court."

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A Nottingham man wants to track down the taxi driver who helped to reunite him with his emergency rescue pack.

Karl Kershaw, of Radford, got a taxi back from the city centre on Thursday, November 14, but it wasn't until after he got home that the 46-year-old realised he had left important medication and personal items in the taxi. 

Karl explained: "I carry an asthma bag with me, three inhalers, medication, air buds, a leaflet and a spare bank card."

As it was an independent taxi Karl had no idea who the driver was or how to get in contact with him. 

Before he was able to track the taxi driver down he was admitted to hospital for a short while, during which he was surprised to get a call from his neighbour on Monday, November 25. He was told that a man had been around the area describing Karl and asking if anyone knew him.

It turned out this man was the taxi driver who had dropped Karl off a few weeks prior and was trying to find him to give him back his bag.

Karl has now been reunited with his bag and although his medication could be replaced, he was especially concerned about his earbuds and bank card.

Karl said: "I really want to find this taxi driver and just say thank you. For that taxi driver to come to a high rise flat and track me down two weeks later, it must have taken him some effort.

"I would love to pay him the fare for the journey he took just to return this. He had been hunting me down for two weeks."

Karl is really impressed by the driver's actions, and added: "It gives you a reminder that there are nice people out there."

Karl is keen to find the taxi driver and is urging him to get in touch.

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A man has been arrested after footage went viral showing an elderly private hire driver with a bloodied face.

A graphic photo circulated on social media showed the victim's badly bruised eye, split eyebrow and lip, cut nose, as well as a blood-soaked collar.

Bawa Hukamdad was attacked on Kings Heath High Street, around 4.15pm on Saturday, November 23, but video and pictures emerged a week later, sparking horror.

West Midlands Police released a statement which said: "We've arrested a man on suspicion of assaulting a taxi driver on Kings Heath High Street.

"We've been investigating after a man in his 80s sustained nasty facial injuries at around 4.15pm on 23 November.

"Following enquiries, we detained a 37-year-old man on suspicion of assault yesterday (Sunday).

"He has been released on police bail with strict conditions as enquiries continue."

There has been widespread revulsion after footage taken from the inside of a car parked behind the PHV, went viral.

The police statement continued: "The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us via Live Chat, or by calling 101, and quote 20/978519/24."

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A North Ayrshire taxi driver has been issued a warning after being caught smoking inside his vehicle.

Andrew Dysart recently appeared before the North Ayrshire Licensing Committee to answer allegations of breaching smoking regulations.

He has held a licence since July 2022 which is valid until July 31, 2025 and had no previous complaints against him.

The incident occurred on 9 April, at Saltcoats train station; Mr Dysart was in the driver's seat of the first taxi in the rank. He had the driver’s door open with his feet facing out of the vehicle and was smoking a cigarette. There were no passengers in the vehicle

Despite claiming that he believed he was complying with the no-smoking policy by directing the smoke outside the vehicle, the committee emphasised that smoking is strictly prohibited in licensed vehicles.

Drew Robertson, Civil Licensing Standards Officer with the council, confirmed that no smoking was permitted in a licensed vehicle by either passengers or drivers and applies to driver and passengers regardless of whether or not it is on hire. This includes the use of e-cigarettes and vaporising devices. 

The committee ultimately decided to issue a warning letter to Mr. Dysart, the motion being passed by five votes to three.

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