A thug punched a taxi driver after complaining that he had been overcharged for his fare, before robbing him.
Shane Price had already paid the £10 when he got in the cab, but demanded his cash back when they reached their destination. After attacking the terrified driver, he stole his dashcam before fleeing.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that the 35-year-old had got into the cab with a woman at around 3am of March 11 last year in Castleford, and asked to be taken to Knottingley.
When they arrived, the woman got out but Price began arguing with the driver saying that the fare was overpriced. The driver contacted the taxi office where it was confirmed it was the correct price, but Price refused to get out until he got his £10 back.
He threatened to smash the driver’s windscreen before punching the driver in the mouth and grabbed the £48 dashcam.
After Price got out, the shaken and injured cabbie rang police. They arrived and found Price in bed at an address. The camera was never recovered, prosecutor Andrew Pickin told Leeds Crown Court.
Price was arrested and gave a prepared statement, denying he was even in a taxi. Even after he was picked out of an ID parade by the driver, he continued to deny he was responsible, claiming he was only picked out because he was wearing police-issue clothes. He later admitted a charge of robbery.
Price, from Knottingley was also involved in a burglary in August 2020. He was seen on CCTV breaking into a building, before torching a Fiat Doblo van, and smashing the windows of another vehicle causing £3,500 worth of damage.
He has nine previous convictions for 17 offences, including robberies, wounding, arson and GBH with intent.
The judge, Recorder Anthony Kelbrick, handed Price an extended sentence totalling six-and-a-half years, made up of four-and-a-half years’ jail, and a two-year extended licence period.
A guide dog owner in Lincolnshire has opened up about the hidden discrimination he faces - including being refused entry into a private hire vehicle.
LincolnshireLive reports that last June, Brian Lawson, 63, was visiting Manchester to say goodbye to his brother, Dennis, who was dying from cancer. After a sad reunion, he left and called a private hire company to take him back to his son's house, where he was staying for the night.
He let the controller know he had a guide dog with him and said he was told him that would be perfectly fine. However, when the driver arrived, it was a different story.
Mr Lawson said: "The taxi turned up and immediately the driver leaned out the window and said, 'not taking him,' referring to my guide dog Giles.
"I asked what he meant and explained that Giles was a guide dog and that we could not be turned away.
"The driver repeated, 'not taking him,' and said he would call his boss. He then reversed and drove off without saying anything."
He added: "I was left stranded with my guide dog in the boiling heat for ten minutes."
Though the company quickly arranged for another driver to collect Mr Lawson, he said he still felt discriminated against.
Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal for a private hire driver to refuse a booking that has already been accepted if the reason is that the passenger is accompanied by a guide dog. Mr Lawson reported the incident to Manchester City Council, after he was reportedly told by the company he would need to in order to escalate his complaint.
A spokesperson named the driver as Shams Ur Rehman, of Stockport, and said: "The investigation we undertook of the incident revealed sufficient evidence to bring criminal proceedings for an offence under the Equality Act 2010. No reasonable excuse was offered by the driver for his refusal. Crucial evidence was provided by the passenger without whom we could not have proceeded.
"A summons was issued and at Manchester City Magistrates on May 18, the driver pleaded guilty. Credit was given by the court for an early guilty plea."
Rehman was fined £107, with £300 in prosecution costs awarded to the city council, before the court imposed a further victim surcharge of £43.
Mr Lawson said he has also been refused entry to shops in the past, much to his frustration.
He said: "It's like you're telling people what's allowed. It's ridiculous, and it makes you feel like a second-class citizen. It is absolutely a form of discrimination. It's not my fault I'm going blind."
He added: "I'm fortunate in that I still have some sight, but I can't imagine how tough it would be for someone who is fully blind."
According to the charity Guide Dogs, the 'vast majority' of guide dogs have had similar experiences to Mr Lawson.
More than 80 per cent have reportedly been refused access to various venues because they have been accompanied by their dog. Eleanor Briggs, the head of policy, public affairs and campaigns at the charity, said: "Guide dog owners deserve to be able to live the lives they want and feel confident, independent, and supported in the world.
"However, too many guide dog owners continue to face discrimination and are turned away because they have their guide dog with them."
Mr Lawson said the reasons came down to ignorance. He said: "Companies just don't train their staff properly.
"Most people are great, but you get those few people who make life a lot harder for someone like me. They can be cruel."
Source: https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/lincolnshire-guide-dog-owner-illegally-8545936
A CCTV image has been released of a man that the police would like to speak to following a crash that involved three vehicles in Aylesbury.
According to the Bucks Free Press, at around 9.14am on Tuesday, May 2, a taxi driver was helping a passenger out of his cab when a white van, which has been described as ‘possibly a Ford Transit’, crashed into a parked van before it hit the taxi.
The taxi driver and the passenger both suffered serious injuries which required hospital treatment, but they have both since been discharged.
Investigating officer PC Holly Newall, said: “We are appealing for the public’s help in investigating this incident.
“We are releasing an image in connection with this incident, as we believe the man pictured may have been a passenger in the van which did not stop at the scene, as someone was seen exiting the vehicle before it drove off.
“If this is you then we would ask you to please get in touch, or if you have any other information then please come forward.
“Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 43230190004.”
A man from Rhyl who inflicted a “planned” attack on a taxi driver has been jailed.
According to the Rhyl Journal, David Ross, 44, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court on June 22.
He was found guilty after trial of both assault and criminal damage to property on May 30.
Prosecuting, Alexandra Carrier said that, on July 24, 2022, Mehmet Dagtekin, the owner of Dino’s Private Hire taxi firm, was working in Llandudno when he received a call from Ross asking for a ride.
Mr Dagtekin arrived, in his white Tesla vehicle, to collect Ross between 6.30 and 7pm; during the journey, the defendant appeared “pleasant”.
Upon arrival at his destination, Ross asked Mr Dagtekin to wait in his car, then asked for a return journey.
Ross then approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and opened the door, asking for Mr Dagtekin’s bank details to pay his fare.
As Mr Dagtekin looked down at his phone, Ross hit him to the right side of his face, before taking the mobile and using it to punch Mr Dagtekin across his face and head.
Another male then came to the passenger side of the vehicle and began punching Mr Dagtekin through a car window, while Ross kicked him to his ribs and legs with “full force”.
Mr Dagtekin remembered thinking that Ross was going to kill him during the attack.
Ross tried to open a passenger door which Mr Dagtekin had locked, but after being unable to do so, began hitting the car windscreen, causing it to crack.
In total, £1,725.85 of criminal damage was caused to Mr Dagtekin’s vehicle, while Ross also took his phone case worth £300.
Mr Dagtekin sustained bruising, swelling, tenderness to his lower jaw and spine, and bleeding from his right ear.
When interviewed twice by police, Ross remained silent throughout.
In a statement, Mr Dagtekin said that the incident has had a detrimental impact on his sleep, while he has since been prescribed antidepressants and tablets to treat headaches.
He also receives regular counselling, adding that he is “no longer the same person as I was before this incident”, and is not working as regularly so is losing money.
Defending Ross, who had 22 previous convictions for 32 offences, Jade Tufail said he has been “out of trouble” since he served a prison sentence imposed in 2013, and has not re-offended since this “isolated incident”.
Ms Tufail invited the court to suspend his custodial sentence, deeming Ross as having a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.
Despite this, Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones said a suspended sentence “would not be sufficient punishment”.
Recorder Lloyd-Jones told Ross: “You planned this attack. It must have been terrifying.
“I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I suspended these sentences.”
A restraining order, prohibiting Ross from contacting Mr Dagtekin directly or indirectly by any means, was imposed for five years.
Source: https://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/23607412.rhyl-man-subjected-taxi-driver-terrifying-attack/
Taxi customers will be informed when booking if the vehicle is not registered in Rotherham, under fresh plans to update the borough’s rules.
According to the Rotherham Advertiser, stringent regulations introduced by RMBC following the CSE scandal included mandatory CCTV and audio recording equipment.
This led to an increase in drivers obtaining their licences in other areas — Wolverhampton or Rossendale being popular choices — but still operating in Rotherham.
Under the current set-up, passengers do not have to be informed if the firm they are booking uses out-of-town vehicles.
Cllr Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, said: “If you are not licensed to operate in Rotherham, you can come in so you don’t have to have things such as CCTV.
“People might think they are getting into a Rotherham taxi when they aren’t.
“This will make sure if someone gets into a taxi that isn’t licensed in Rotherham, they will know.”
Meanwhile, drivers will be allowed slightly older cabs, under RMBC proposals set for public consultation.
Currently, vehicles must be under five years old when the application is made but this is set to be relaxed to allow vehicles registered after August 31, 2015.
This age requirement is also said to be a factor in drivers going elsewhere to get licensed.
A report to RMBC’s cabinet said: “Obtaining a licence in another council area is attractive in these situations as the cost of an older vehicle is much lower than a newer one that would be required in Rotherham, and the installation of taxi cameras is also not required in many other local authority areas.
“It has been suggested that a local driver can save between £2,000 and £3,000 on the cost of a vehicle by opting for a licence elsewhere.”
Cllr Lelliott said: “Hopefully, this change will enable drivers to stay in the trade, and the knock-on effect will be that we don’t necessarily need to have out-of-town drivers coming in and doing it.”
Another proposal is to remove the current limit of 52 hackney carriages in Rotherham — but only approve new applications where the vehicle is capable of carrying a passenger in a wheelchair. It is hoped this will address the lack of disabled access.
The consultation will open in July and run for 12 weeks, including drop-in sessions and a survey.
Artur Nowostawski has been jailed for six years and nine months after he attacked a taxi driver earlier this year.
Taxi drivers in the city are facing significant financial losses after a series of electric vehicle charging point failures left them unable to operate.
Police are appealing for help to trace a man who disappeared after getting into a taxi bound for the Otley area of Leeds.
The company’s operator licence includes a condition ordering all drivers to undergo the same training as those from other companies.
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.