A lying teenager murdered his taxi driver in a plot to rob his car, then tried to pin it on his friend.
BirminghamLive reports that Oliver Pugh, 19, got Mohammed Istakhar to drive him and his associate Luca De-Fazio out of Birmingham city centre to Braggs Farm Lane in Solihull a remote country road near Earlswood and Dickens Heath.
There he claimed he would fetch his fare for the trip from a nearby caravan where he was staying, but instead he produced a knife which he drove into the 44-year-old father's chest.
It was a pre-prepared plan executed to deadly effect in the early hours of November 29, 2022.
It did not take long for ruthless Pugh to turn on De-Fazio, who was not found responsible for the killing by a jury. Once both were arrested by the police they gave completely different accounts of what had supposedly happened.
De-Fazio, aged 18, attended Solihull Police Station voluntarily with his father, a support worker and a bag of clothes. He claimed when they first arrived in Braggs Farm Lane that he waited at the taxi vaping, while Pugh went to the caravan.
De-Fazio said Pugh came back holding two knifes and pushed one to his chest saying 'take it', to which he said he replied 'leave it'. He alleged they got back in the taxi and Pugh sat in the front seat where he started waving his knife around and 'touched' Mr Istakhar who ran off, with Pugh chasing him.
De-Fazio recalled that as he followed he heard the driver plead: 'I have a family, I have kids, please don't hurt me' before he caught up and saw him hand Pugh the keys saying 'take them'.
He claimed they left in Mr Istakhar's car but at one point he had to get out and push after Pugh crashed it into a bush about 25 seconds after fleeing Braggs Farm Lane.
De-Fazio said it was at that stage that he dropped the knife Pugh had given him earlier. He said Pugh later sent him social media posts saying someone had died, so he called his dad and decided to go to the police.
De-Fazio told officers he felt he had no control over his own actions that night because he was 'intimidated' by Pugh, who fled to Worksop in Nottinghamshire after the incident.
Following a manhunt, he was arrested there on December 1. Pugh remarked to the police: 'Murder what's all that about?'. After being told the allegation he added: "That's b******s I've never stabbed anyone in my life."
In interview he claimed De-Fazio had accompanied him to the caravan from Braggs Farm Lane, and that it was De-Fazio who grabbed two knives from the vehicle and 'sprinted' back to the taxi. Pugh alleged De-Fazio chased Mr Istakhar then came back and handed him one of the knives.
He accepted they drove off in the victim's Vauxhall Insignia but said he had not found out the driver had died until a few days after the incident. He denied stabbing Mr Istakhar. Pugh told officers he had only gone to Nottinghamshire to see a friend and that he was intending to go the police voluntarily himself.
During a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury was shown CCTV which showed Mr Istakhar running away from Pugh on Braggs Farm Lane, with De-Fazio following some distance behind. They also heard from a witness who claimed she met Pugh at Rosies bar earlier in the night and that he had told her: "I'm going to rob a taxi."
Pugh from Solihull, was found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article. He will be sentenced to life with a minimum term of imprisonment to be determined at a hearing on September 22.
De-Fazio, of no fixed address, was cleared of murder but had admitted possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to one month which he had already served whilst remanded in custody.
Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/lying-teenager-oliver-pugh-murdered-27280065#
A proposal to lift the restriction on cars older than ten years to be used as taxis and for private hire is under consideration.
The General Licensing Committee at North Kesteven District Council is set to review and amend its Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy, with a proposal to remove the upper age limit for vehicles licensed by the council.
Currently the policy is not to license any hire vehicle once it reaches its 10th anniversary of registration, unless it meets the exceptional condition criteria detailed within the policy.
This age policy was previously introduced to offer some flexibility for the trade when licensing cars, balanced against the increased emissions concerns around older diesel vehicles.
But now, following the tightening of emissions criteria under the VOSA MoT requirements, along which future proposals to further tighten the national emissions standards, the committee believes that a relaxation of the current age policy will offer more flexibility for the trade, whilst ensuring that hire vehicles, (which require testing to MoT standard every six months) still meet the strict national emissions criteria.
The consultation runs until Monday, July 24 2023, after which the General Licensing Committee will consider any responses.
Any comments should be forwarded to the Licensing team: licensing@n-kesteven.gov.uk
A driver who lost his private hire vehicle licence after being involved in a collision that left a cyclist with a broken collar bone has lost his appeal to have it reinstated.
The Express and Star reports that Bright Kwarteng took his appeal against Wolverhampton Council's decision to revoke his licence to Dudley Magistrates' Court on Friday, 30 June
Kwarteng had a private hire licence until October 19 last year, four months after he was convicted of driving without due care and attention as a result of a collision with a cyclist in Telford on November 3, 2021.
The 48-year-old, who lived in Telford at the time of his conviction, was driving a Vauxhall Zafira when he hit the cyclist on Holyhead Road at the Greyhound Roundabout.
The collision left the victim with a broken collar bone and broken elbow, with nerve damage in his arm and hand.
On June 15 last year Kwarteng had nine points added onto his licence at Worcester Justice Centre after admitting the charge, as well as being fined £415.
However, Wolverhampton Council said Kwarteng did not inform them of the conviction within 48 hours, something his licence required him to do.
A spokesperson said: "Due to the serious nature of the collision, an immediate revocation of his licence was necessary."
At Friday's appeal hearing, Deputy District Judge M Williams said he accepted the incident was a one-off which resulted in serious injury for the cyclist and a criminal charge for Mr Kwarteng.
He also noted the victim had to go to hospital and there is a pending financial claim.
The judge added: "It cannot be ignored the road traffic accident was whilst the appellant was in work. My judgement is that the appellant did try to minimise his responsibility and did not take accountability, which raised serious questions marks over whether he can be trusted in the future to be open, honest and genuine.
"I do not find the decision wrong. Coming to my conclusion I have made my decision without notice to the DBS issue or the previous warnings received. My decision is made solely on the road traffic accident to which the appellant pleaded guilty.
"It is my judgement the appellant was vague and evasive but more likely disingenuous with his account. I therefore concur with the view this was so serious it was enough to revoke the licence, and the appellant is not a fit and proper person.
"I accordingly dismiss the appeal."
Reacting to the decision, a Wolverhampton Council spokesperson added: "The council always defends appeals against taxi licence refusals, suspensions and revocations to do all we can to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.
"This decision by the court vindicates the council in taking decisive action against Mr Kwarteng by revoking his licence with immediate effect."
No order for costs was made.
A former taxi driver has been ordered to pay nearly £2,000 after driving a hackney carriage without a valid driver’s licence.
South Oxon Council reports that Besnik Laci, 55, from Reading, was prosecuted by South Oxfordshire District Council and appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 16 June.
He pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and failing to return his taxi badge.
The court heard how Mr Laci’s licence had been suspended with immediate effect on 30 November 2022 as he’d failed to sign up to the DBS Update Service, which was a breach of a licence condition.
He had been clearly told by letter that he was not to drive any vehicle licensed by the council as a hackney carriage until or unless his driver’s licence was re-instated once a new enhanced criminal record check was received.
The court was told the requirement to sign up to the DBS Update Service was well publicised and it was a licensing condition that was printed on the back of his paper licence given to him in April 2022.
Furthermore, there is a step-by-step guide on the council’s website and application form which Mr Laci had completed in February 2022.
The court heard that despite the contents of the suspension letter, Mr Laci attended the council offices in a licensed hackney carriage, with his suspension letter in hand and refused to hand over his badge.
Magistrates were told that information was gathered that showed that Mr Laci continued to work for Grosvenor Chauffeur Cars Limited, having had 160 jobs allocated to him between 5 December and 15 December 2022.
His licensed vehicle, for which he was the sole insured driver, was captured by number plate recognition cameras clearly showing a taxi plate on 18 and 21 December 2022 and 1 January 2023.
The court heard that Mr Laci was an experienced licensed taxi driver and would have been well aware of the requirement for himself to be licensed to be able to drive a licensed hackney carriage.
In mitigation, Mr Laci told the court that it was a misunderstanding. He said he had been licensed with the council for 16 years but that processes had changed. He added he wasn’t against the rules, but he didn’t understand everything that was in the letter, and he didn’t realise that he was going to end up in court.
He advised the court that he was no longer working as a taxi driver and hadn’t been for three months.
In sentencing, magistrates imposed a fine of £440 for being an unlicensed driver, £292 for failure to return badge or taxi plate and imposed a victim surcharge of £293.
Mr Laci was also ordered to pay a contribution towards prosecution costs of £782, making his total to pay £1,807.
Cllr David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We want people to be confident that drivers and vehicles are properly licensed and deemed ‘fit and proper’, to ensure that their journeys are safe and insured.
“Prosecutions such as this one are important to keep that confidence and should act as a reminder to other drivers to make sure they are complying with the law and their licence conditions.”
“With events such as Henley Regatta coming up, we would remind members of the public to check that the vehicle has a valid licence plate and the driver is wearing a valid badge.”
Colin Cloy, 33, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday 29 June, having pleaded guilty to acting in a racially aggravated manner, threatening behaviour and resisting police officers in Newmarket Street, Falkirk on November 18, 2022.
The Falkirk Herald reports that he also admitted breaching his bail conditions by contacting his former partner – repeatedly messaging and attempting to call her – between may 24 and May 28 this year.
Procurator fiscal depute Bernadette Cuthbertson said: “It was 11pm and the accused was in a taxi rank in Newmarket Street, Falkirk. He was intoxicated and made attempts to enter a taxi.
"He was refused service due to his intoxication and he then became aggressive.”
Cloy proceeded to hurl a number of racist insults and abuse at the driver.
Martin Morrow, defence solicitor, said Cloy was “deeply ashamed” of his behaviour – which he had no recollection of because he was so drunk.
"He has no record for that type of offending,” added Mr Morrow.
As for the bail breach, Mr Morrow said Cloy just wanted to see his children.
"The relationship had come to an end and he was trying to see his children – of course this was not the way to go about it,” said Mr Morrow.
Sheriff Charles Lugton placed Cloy, from Slamannan, on a restriction of liberty order, meaning he must remain in his home between 7pm and 7am for the next 65 days.
He also placed him on a supervised community payback order for nine months with the conduct requirement he engage with addiction services in that time.
Police have stopped a private hire driver who was driving the wrong way on the M1 close to Junction 8 at Hemel Hempstead.
Newcastle City Council is set to introduce strict new measures to tackle illegal and inconsiderate parking near Newcastle International Airport.
West Mercia Police is appealing for information following a rape that took place in Malvern's Priory Park early on Sunday, August 4th.
Glasgow taxi users could be facing a near-10% fare increase and extended night-time charges.
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.