A toddler lost her toe in a violent struggle after a man snatched her from her mother in the street.
Martin Enow grabbed the 18-month-old girl from her mother in the terrifying incident on Mayor Street in Bolton, in what has been described as 'every parent’s worst nightmare'.
The M.E.N. reports that the 24-year-old was 'experiencing a psychotic episode at the time' on February 21 this year.
Enow, from Preston, grabbed the toddler by her neck and tried to run 'while holding her upside down', the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Her mum, who was with her other child, struggled with him and tried to grab her daughter back.
A passer-by intervened and restrained Enow so the mother could grab the girl, who was bleeding heavily from her foot.
Another passer-by stopped her car and ran out to help, leaving her child in the passenger seat.
Enow then jumped into the driver seat of this car but didn't have the keys, so ran from the scene. He climbed into the passenger seat of a taxi that had stopped at the junction of Spa Road and Mayor Street and asked the driver to take him to the football stadium, the CPS added.
But the cabbie refused and locked him in the car until police arrived.
The toddler lost her toe and had to have an operation on her foot as a result of the horrific incident. She also suffered a broken arm.
Enow was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to kidnap and inflicting grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing.
On Wednesday August 9, he was jailed for four years.
Garry Crawford, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "This was a terrifying incident which encapsulates every parent’s worst nightmare.
"It is thanks to the quick thinking of the child’s mother, the good Samaritans and the taxi driver, that Martin Enow was stopped before any further harm could occur to either the child or himself.
"We understand that Martin Enow was suffering with a mental health condition when he committed this offence. I hope that following the conclusion of the case the child’s family will have some sense of closure and that they can now begin to put what happened behind them."
Mid Suffolk District Council has opened a consultation on a potential increase in the maximum fare that taxi drivers are allowed to charge.
The Suffolk News reports that the proposal, which was approved during a cabinet meeting on 8 August, seeks to mitigate the effects the cost-of-living crisis is having on the trade.
Mike Drain, the Managing Director at Superb Airport Transfer Ltd, was one of the trade consultees weighing in on the proposed fares.
He said in an email: “We recognise price hikes will never be popular with the public, but if our industry is expected to survive, they are well overdue.
“I think the table represents a sensible balance between the competing pressures of drivers and the public.”
Following the rejection of a proposed tariff made in March due to the rising costs of providing the service, this agreement will see open consultation on the two-mile rate increase from £6.40 to £7.50.
This means either resetting the first mile, or the subsequent yardage, so the total for a two-mile journey does not exceed that price.
A spokesperson for the council said: “Setting maximum rates for hackney carriage taxis is a careful balancing act.
“It’s an important part of supporting our local taxi trade and helping them to remain economically viable, whilst also ensuring an efficient, safe and cost-effective service.
“We hope these amended fares strike that balance with both the trade and public now having their chance to have their say.”
The consultation fase will be open for 14 days during which members of the public are asked to weigh in on the fares.
Should any objections be raised by residents, the committee must reconsider the proposals and decide on the date when the fares come into force, with or without modications.
Source: https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/stowmarket/authority-opens-consultation-on-cab-fare-increase-9325269/
CCTV is set to be introduced in all taxis within the borough of Gosport after private hire driver, Hardeep Landa, was convicted of sexually assaulting a passenger in Southampton.
The Daily Echo reports that Gosport Borough Council has pledged to make CCTV in taxis and private hire vehicles mandatory in the wake of Landa's imprisonment.
The Southampton cab driver, 30, was jailed for six years and eight months in May after sexually assaulting a 21-year-old passenger in his car at St Mary's Road car park.
Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) later wrote a letter to the secretary of state for transport to change national licensing guidance.
Gosport council's Regulartory Board agreed the new CCTV rules for all new taxis in the borough which is due to be implmented by April 1, 2025.
Deputy Leader, Cllr Robert Hylands, said: "I'm very proud that Gosport is leading the way among smaller councils in the county to help make taxis safer."
The PCC added: “This move makes Gosport the first borough council in the county to show its commitment to keeping its residents safe.
“The introduction of regular background criminal checks and drug testing for new applicants and randomly for licensed drivers is also welcome.
“My ambition as Commissioner is to encourage all councils to follow suit.
"At a national level, I will continue to lobby the government to make sure passengers and drivers alike are afforded the maximum protection."
The council also agreed to introduce six-monthly DBS checks for drivers, and to start drug testing for new applicants and random drug testing for licensed drivers.
Southampton City Council's licensing requirements for hackneys and private hire vehicles already require CCTV to be fitted.
Speaking after Landa's sentencing, Phil Bates, Licensing Manager at Southampton City Council, said: “The council undertakes robust checks on all drivers it licenses, including an enhanced police check every six months.
“This case highlights the excellent working relationship between the police and council officers by facilitating the immediate revocation of the licence and the sharing of evidence, it also appears to be a prime example of the benefits of mandating the fitting of permanently recording taxi cameras."
Source: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23714205.gosport-taxis-get-cctv-southampton-taxi-driver-jailed/
A thug who left a taxi driver fearing for his life as he forced him to drive while holding a seven-inch blade to his neck has been locked up.
According to the Northern Echo, Brooklyn Dougan climbed into the back of the victim’s car in Thornaby town centre before demanding he hand over cash and his mobile phone.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the 21-year-old pulled on the car’s handbrake before jumping out of the car and running away with a shopping bag full of snacks.
Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said: “The complainant told him he wasn’t working. The defendant pulled out a knife and the taxi driver could feel it at the back of his neck.
“Throughout the course of the journey, he held the knife to the driver’s neck and at one point put his arm around his neck and the driver saw that it was a seven-inch blade with a serrated edge.
“The defendant pulled the handbrake on the taxi, demanded cash and his mobile phone before jumping out of the car.”
The taxi driver told police he was ‘99 per cent sure he was going to die’ during the incident.
Dougan was identified by a Cleveland Police PCSO who watched CCTV from a Sainsbury’s store.
The court heard how the defendant also forced his way into five sheds before being chased off by the homeowner from his property in the early hours of February 16.
Dougan, of Thornaby, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article following the incident on March 13. He also pleaded guilty to the shed burglary.
Victoria Lamballe, mitigating, said her client has a longstanding crack cocaine addiction and ‘mercifully’ the taxi driver has not suffered any physical injury.
Judge Andrew Hatton told Dougan it didn’t matter that his robbery attempt was unsuccessful as the taxi driver genuinely feared for his life.
He added: “You had a knife to the man’s throat, the fact you didn’t take any money from his pocket and simply left with a bag from the footwell makes no difference to the offence.
“Undoubtedly, the taxi driver feared for his life.”
Dougan was jailed for a total of six years after a suspended sentence for four shop thefts was activated.
Source: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23714345.thornaby-thug-left-taxi-driver-fearing-life/
Tewkesbury Borough Council is consulting on several changes to the existing Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
It is looking at the vehicle policy as currently there is no age or emissions policy in place.
Please view the documents for proposed changes.
The table of amendments sets these out clearly.
This is an important consultation focusing mainly on the vehicle standards in the borough.
Please make sure you take part if you are an existing licence holder, authority or member of the public that may be affected: https://www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/forms/taxiandprivatehire
This is a 12 week consultation running until 24 September.
A local councillor has sparked a debate on passenger safety after claiming that using locally licensed taxis is safer than hailing an Uber.
A taxi driver was attacked and subjected to racist abuse after two brothers refused to pay him up front.
Christopher Hilling, 64, admitted to engaging a child in sexual activity at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 8 August.
Abdigani Ebrahim, 38, of Grangetown, admitted charges of affray and criminal damage following the incident in Northcote Street, Roath, last July.
The crackdown targeted drivers operating across council boundaries to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations.
Lucio Valentino relies on his six-year-old Border Collie, Pixel, to help manage his mental health conditions, including depression and personality disorders.
Taxi drivers across the Fylde Coast are set to receive a briefing note aimed at clearing up confusion over out-of-area private hire vehicles.
Police are appealing to find a taxi driver who may have "vital clues" about the murder of Ryan Passey seven years ago since he was fatally stabbed in a Stourbridge nightclub.
A joint operation by Hull City Council, Wolverhampton Council, and Humberside Police has uncovered a number of safety issues with taxis operating in the city.
French taxi drivers are calling for government compensation after suffering significant revenue losses during the Paris Olympics.
Coventry city centre has introduced a new taxi marshal service aimed at improving safety and efficiency for late-night revellers.
A court heard harrowing details of the moment a drink-driving uninsured motorist killed three people in a 90mph crash.
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was amongst the thousands who enjoyed the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle on 3 August.
Swindon residents could be facing a hike in taxi fares from October after councillors gave the green light to a £1 increase in the standard fare minimum charge.
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.