A Sheffield man has been jailed after he robbed a taxi driver at knife point.
YorkshireLive reports that Callum Woodburn, 24, robbed a taxi driver at knife point, assaulted a South Yorkshire Police officer following his arrest and assaulted an inmate while on remand in HMP Doncaster.
On 3 January 2022, Woodburn got a taxi on Harborough Avenue in Sheffield. The cabbie drove Woodburn around several locations before travelling back to Harborough Avenue.
When close by, Woodburn told the driver to stop at Manor Park Centre and as he did, he pulled a knife out and threatened him, saying ‘do you want to go back and see your kids?’.
Woodburn then grabbed the driver’s takings bag and fled the scene.
Officers attended and arrested Woodburn in a property on Harborough Avenue. While in police custody, Woodburn assaulted a police officer, headbutting and causing injury to the officer’s face.
Following charge by the CPS, Woodburn was remanded into HMP Doncaster. While on remand Woodburn once more showed his violent nature and attacked an inmate, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Woodburn assaulted an inmate with a bladed article, consisting of a plastic razor blade handle, wrapped in fabric with two razor blades sticking out of it, causing deep lacerations to the victim's neck, arm, and knee.
Woodburn was sentenced to a combined sentence of 12 years.
Charlotte Reeder from the Doncaster Prison Crime Team, who investigated the assault at HMP Doncaster said: “Woodburn has showed his aggressive nature at every opportunity, and I am pleased his sentence reflects the severity of his actions that myself and colleagues from across the force have had to investigate.
“Through Woodburn’s actions he has showed no remorse or compassion for those he has injured.
“Our role within the prison crime team is to ensure that everyone within the prison, including staff and inmates are safe, detecting and investigating corruption, drug supply and violence, all of which will not be tolerated.
“Inmates have the right to serve their sentence without fear and violence.”
Source: https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/violent-sheffield-man-pulled-knife-27388062
An unlicensed driver has been banned from driving and ordered to pay £1,850 after being caught using his cab illegally.
According to the South Wales Argus, Hamza Abdul Mutaleb Thabet Ghalib, 34, from Newport was driving throughout the city last year without a licence
He used his “taxi” while breaking the law on Upper Dock Street, Cwmbran Drive, Lakeside Drive, Medway Close and Azalea Road in May 2022.
Ghalibbn was banned from driving for six months.
He was ordered to pay the £1,850 in fines, costs and a surcharge.
Guidance to private hire drivers wishing to work for a second operator has been issued by Leeds City Council.
Leeds drivers are not happy that the council has now confirmed that they have to get a letter from their current operator to say it allows them to work for second one.
A total overhaul of the charges at Birmingham Airport's drop-off car park will take effect in the coming days.
CoventryLive reports that from August 15, a whole new raft of rates will be in operation at that particular car park.
Instead of having 20 minutes' grace to offload passengers heading for departures, drivers will only get ten minutes of free parking.
Anyone using the drop-off car park for between 10 and 15 minutes will soon have to pay £3, while stays between 15 and 20 minutes will cost £4, when previously it was free.
Makeshift taxi drivers will be charged £5 for 20 to 25 minutes, as opposed to £4, and anyone parking there for 25 to 30 minutes will be hit with a bill of £10 - double the current rate.
The airport say the changes are mainly designed to free up more space in the car park, which is just 400 metres from the main check-in desks.
A BHX spokesperson said: "We are reducing the free period to release more capacity within the car park. The ten minutes is designed to allow customers sufficient time to drop off, as the car park is designed for.
"For customers wanting to pick up passengers, we would advise using Car Park 1."
No changes to the rates at the airport's other car parks are imminent, CoventryLive understands.
Source: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/lifestyle/travel/major-birmingham-airport-car-park-27466688
A fare dodger threatened to kill a Prestwick taxi driver before jumping out of the vehicle in a bid to evade a £40 charge for his journey.
The Androssan Herald reports that Neil Farquhar, 41, appeared in court for sentencing after admitting charges of threatening behaviour, culpable and reckless conduct and hiring a taxi without paying or intending to pay in the early hours of January 29 this year.
He was ordered to pay compensation after he admitted making threats to kill and causing the taxi driver alarm.
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard Farquhar had only handed over £10 of the fare agreed to take him from Prestwick to Kilwinning.
Procurator fiscal depute Chris Munro told the court: “At 2.30am the witness, a taxi driver, was parked in Main Street, Preswick. Two males, one of whom was the accused, agreed to pay £40 to be dropped off in Kilwinning.
"The first male was dropped off without issue. The accused asked to be taken to the Dirrans area.
"The witness dropped him off and asked for the fare. Farquhar handed over £10 and said 'that's all you're f***ing getting'.
"This was disputed by the cabbie, and an argument commenced, while driving towards Irvine police office.
"As the witness was driving along Marress Road, Irvine, Farquhar began shouting and swearing at him.
"Farquhar continued shouting and swearing and making threats to kill and assault the driver.
"He then jumped from the rear into the front passenger side, then opened the front passenger side door while the vehicle was doing 25mph.
“The cabbie was concerned it was not safe to be driving.
"Farquhar then exited and the driver flagged down police officers. The accused was traced a short distance away."
Defence solicitor Alex Muir said: "It's unusual for someone his age [to offend]. He is someone who does not drink to excess, but on this occasion did.
"Quite clearly he accepts he behaved very badly. It appears there was no issues initially when his friend was in the car."
Sheriff Alistair Watson said: "This is extremely serious but it appears you have not been in trouble before.
"This must have been very distressing for the driver, as well as the money lost."
Farquhar was ordered to pay £430 in compensation to the driver, including the remaining fare, as well as a £20 payment to the Scottish Government victim surcharge fund.
At least 14 cars have been damaged since June, with drivers suffering financial loss and emotional distress.
The attack happened at around 12.45pm on Etruria Vale Road, Stoke, when the victim, driving a Toyota Avensis, was punched in the face by one of the men.
Cumberland Council has taken decisive action to protect public safety by revoking the licence of a taxi driver charged last week with a serious racially aggravated offence.
A historic bridge has been closed indefinitely after an Uber car became wedged on Saturday morning.
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).