A taxi driver who was falsely accused of rape has had his life turned upside down, losing his marriage and job as the lying "victim" faces a prison sentence.

The unidentified man was accused by Emma Bayley of Warwick, of raping her during a taxi journey from Tamworth to Warwick in March 2021.

Despite denying the allegations, the driver was arrested and investigated by Warwickshire Police.

As the investigation progressed, inconsistencies in Bayley's claims began to emerge.

Crime Intelligence Analyst Brady Andrews analysed data from automatic numberplate recognition, telecommunications, and GPS to prove that the taxi was not stationary for more than 12 seconds during the journey, disproving the possibility of an attack as described.

The false allegations had devastating consequences for the innocent taxi driver, who lost his job and faced the breakdown of his marriage.

However, justice was served last month when Bayley was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to perverting the course of public justice at Warwick Crown Court.

Speaking after the case, the taxi driver expressed his gratitude for the hard work of the investigators who helped to clear his name.

"Had the lies not been uncovered, it is likely I would have been charged with rape, remanded in custody and faced a trial," he said.

He described the ordeal as "genuinely traumatic" and expressed his disbelief that someone would make up such a serious allegation.

Lead investigator Detective Sergeant Magnus McAuley emphasised the rarity of such cases but noted the severe consequences for the falsely accused and the police resources they consume.

He highlighted the immense impact the false allegation had on the victim and expressed hope that the sentence would provide some comfort as he works to rebuild his life.

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A Paisley taxi company is at the center of a police investigation that could result in the loss of licences for over 160 of its drivers.

Paisley Cab Co Ltd, owned by Steven Malcolm, and officials at Renfrewshire Council are facing scrutiny following allegations of safety concerns.

Reports indicate that irregularities were discovered in the insurance and paperwork of 11 of the company's taxis. This led to questions to the council about how these vehicles passed roadworthiness tests at a council testing centre.

Police Scotland was brought in to investigate the matter, and a closed-door meeting was held on Thursday, 17 October, to discuss the future of 162 of the company's drivers.

In a highly unusual move, Mr. Malcolm was personally ordered to attend the meeting, accompanied by his legal counsel.

According to council meeting papers, the meeting considered the "possible suspension or revocation" of the 162 private hire licences held by the company.

An insider revealed that the company had submitted 11 vehicles without the correct paperwork or insurance, and that the council testing centre had mistakenly passed them.

Councillors were told that the Paisley Cab Co did not realise what was going on as the person who did the applications had done so for years. While the company was found not to be at fault and has since changed its practices, a further investigation is underway into the application process and the involvement of council staff.

The hearing on Thursday was held in private, and the local media was asked to leave the chambers before proceedings began. A resolution was made to hold the meeting behind closed doors due to the potential disclosure of "exempt information."

Mr. Malcolm and his legal representative declined to comment after the hearing, and when asked about the police investigation, Malcolm stated: "I don't know anything about that. It's nothing to do with me."

Renfrewshire Council also declined to comment, stating that no action was taken against any private hire car, taxi, or booking office licences at that time.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that they are liaising with the local authority.

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East Renfrewshire Council has relaxed regulations governing wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) in response to a significant decline in their availability.

Previously, all new applicants for taxi and private hire vehicle licences required the vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. However, this requirement was temporarily relaxed in 2021 due to the pandemic's impact on the taxi industry.

While the council had initially proposed reinstating the WAV requirement for new applicants, concerns raised by the taxi trade and a disability support group led to a change in approach.

The licensing committee decided to remove the age limits for WAVs, which had been seven years old or below when first licensed and couldn’t be licensed once older than 12 years, and instead subject them to annual inspections.

Additionally, the committee recommended to the council's cabinet that no fee be charged for new or renewal applications.

The council's decision comes amid a dramatic drop in the number of WAVs available in East Renfrewshire.

A report revealed that there were only four WAVs remaining, dropping from 40, primarily due to lapsed licences and drivers opting for non-WAV vehicles when renewing their licences.

Taxi drivers expressed concerns about the high cost of purchasing WAVs, which can exceed £70,000.

They argued that removing the licence fee and age limits would provide some relief but would not be sufficient to encourage more drivers to invest in these vehicles.

Disability rights groups also highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in obtaining WAVs, particularly during peak times like the school run.

The council has agreed to implement the changes on a trial basis for 18 months and will conduct a survey to gather evidence on WAV demand and usage.

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A futuristic display took place in London on 9 October until 16 October, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showcased a flying taxi at Charring Cross Station.

The eye-catching vehicle, which hovered above the traditional black cab queue, was part of the UAE's "Bring Your Impossible/Invest in the UAE" campaign.

The initiative aims to highlight the Emirates' ambitious plans to introduce commercial flying taxi services by 2026. The futuristic taxi, accompanied by the slogan "Unlike Other Taxis, Others can reach the sky," served as a striking visual representation of this vision.

The "Bring Your Impossible" campaign seeks to showcase the UAE's achievements and its open-door policy for investors and innovators. The country is actively seeking to attract big thinkers and achievers from around the world to contribute to its ambitious goals.

The flying taxi display underscores the UAE's commitment to innovation and its position as a global investment hub. The country offers a supportive ecosystem for startups and businesses, with world-class infrastructure, logistics, and investment opportunities.

The event highlights the UAE's role in driving innovation in sectors such as AI, biotech, and fintech. This focus on cutting-edge technologies is attracting international investors and dreamers from across the globe.

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A man and a woman have been charged with robbery following a terrifying attack on a taxi driver in Milford Haven on Friday evening, 18 October.

Ashley Rees, 23, and Kelly Rees, 35 were also charged with possession of a bladed weapon in a public place.

The incident occurred around 7:00pm in the Dartmouth Street/Trafalgar Road area, when the driver claimed he was threatened with a knife and assaulted with a hypodermic needle. 

The victim was subsequently robbed. Following the incident, the driver was sent to hospital for medical attention.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson confirmed that:  “They were remanded in custody to appear at Llanelli Magistrates Court today."

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