A former taxi boss from Bargoed has been found guilty of fraud after admitting to falsifying safety certificates for wheelchair-accessible vehicles used to transport children to school.

Peter Roland Banwell, 62, the former director of Banwell Buses Ltd, trading as Beeline Taxis, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on April 8, 2024, where he pleaded guilty to fraud by misrepresentation.

The court heard that between June 2023 and May 2024, Banwell's company held 14 contracts with Caerphilly County Borough Council requiring vehicles equipped with lifting equipment.

These vehicles are legally required to undergo biannual safety checks under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), with successful inspections resulting in the issuance of a LOLER certificate, proof of which must be submitted to the council every six months.

Suspicion arose when nine certificates submitted to the council on May 24, 2024, were dated December 15, 2024 – a date yet to come. Further investigation revealed a total of 26 fraudulent certificates dating back to May and December 2023.

As a result, the council suspended the nine vehicles in question, and subsequent inspections revealed defects in all of them, with two deemed unsafe.

During the period the uncertified vehicles were operating under council contracts, Banwell Buses Ltd received £253,550. Following the discovery of the fraudulent activity, Banwell confessed to forging the certificates and resigned as the company's director.

Banwell received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

His company, Banwell Buses Ltd, was fined £12,000, and Banwell now faces further action under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Councillor Philippa Leonard condemned Banwell's actions, stating: "Mr Banwell's use of unsafe vehicles showed a clear disregard for child safety, resulting in fraud against the council. This prosecution sends a strong message that we will not tolerate fraud and remain committed to protecting passengers and upholding operational integrity."

His Honour Judge Khan, while acknowledging Banwell's previous good character, strongly rebuked him for his actions, labeling them as "stupidity" and telling him he was "dishonest, had lost his good character and looks to lose financially due to proceeds of crime proceedings."

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A private hire driver operating for Derby-based Western Cars has been sacked after a video circulating online allegedly captured him fly-tipping in a Derbyshire layby.

The incident, which reportedly occurred around 3:40pm on 8 April on Twyford Road near Willington, shows a member of the public confronting the driver and demanding he return broken paving slabs to his vehicle.

Western Cars swiftly responded to the footage, confirming the driver's immediate suspension followed by his dismissal.

In a Facebook post on Monday 14 April, the company stated: "Following our internal review process, the driver in question is no longer affiliated with Western Cars."

They emphasised that while their drivers are "self-employed contractors," they are expected to adhere to "clear standards regarding professional conduct" while representing the brand.

The video appears to show a Western Cars-branded private hire vehicle parked in the layby, with the confronting individual questioning the driver. Although the driver reportedly denies placing the slabs under a nearby hedgerow, the footage seemingly shows more paving slabs in the boot of his vehicle.

Western Cars confirmed they suspended the driver on 9 April pending an investigation and alerted local authorities. They also noted that the fly-tipping site was found to be clear the following day.

The company affirmed their commitment to cooperating with ongoing inquiries, stating: "We understand that the relevant local authorities are conducting their own enquiries into the matter. We are cooperating fully with these enquiries and will continue to do so as required."

Derby City Council, which licenses the driver, confirmed they are aware of the incident and have launched their own investigation.

A council spokesperson stated: "As the taxi driver is licensed in Derby, we have been advised of the incident and are currently looking into it."

South Derbyshire District Council, where the alleged fly-tipping took place, did not respond to requests for comment.

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Four men have been sentenced to a combined 75 years in prison for the brutal murder of Anselam Senaj, a passenger in a private hire vehicle, in East Ham.

A chilling video captured the moment the gang used a stolen car to stop the private hire vehicle before hacking Senaj to death with machetes.

The attack occurred at the junction of Victoria Avenue and Grangewood Street on 11 November, 2023, at approximately 10:10pm. Senaj died at the scene.

Within two weeks, the Metropolitan Police arrested Muhammad Samiyul Miah, 19, Ibrahim Naim, 18, and Zain Ali, 22.

Detectives analysed clothing and phone conversations, revealing links to drug dealing.

A fourth suspect, Muhammad Saqib Khan, 24, who fled to Amsterdam, was tracked down by Dutch authorities and extradited to the UK.

Khan and Miah were convicted of murder and possession of a knife, while Naim and Ali were convicted of manslaughter.

At the Old Bailey on Friday 11 April, Khan received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years, and Miah was sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years. Ali received 14 years, and Naim was sentenced to ten and a half years.

Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, who led the investigation, stated: “Anselam Senaj was killed in a brutal cold-blooded assault which lasted seconds, but was so severe he died at the scene.”

He added: “Our thoughts remain as always with Anselam’s friends and family as they move forward with their life, safe in the knowledge his attackers are behind bars where they belong.”

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Significant changes are coming to Yeovil's taxi ranks as part of Somerset Council's ongoing town centre regeneration project, "Yeovil Refresh." The council, utilising central government grants, aims to improve accessibility and appeal for visitors and businesses.

Following a 12-month consultation by the licensing team, the council's executive committee has approved a series of alterations.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, culture, equalities and diversity, explained: "As part of the Yeovil Refresh, we need to look at the hackney carriage rank positions within the town centre, to make sure that we have the right model for those who need them both in the daytime and the night-time."

She added that the council had conducted "a statutory consultation and we've been in contact with both Yeovil Town Council and the local division members."

The agreed changes include the removal of the Silver Street taxi rank, relocating it to Princes Street. The two-car rank on Stars Lane will also be eliminated, with night-time-only spaces created within the Stars Lane car park.

Additionally, the Lower Middle Street rank will be replaced by a loading bay.

Existing ranks on Earle Street, Hendford, Old Station Road, and South Street will remain, though the Old Station Road layout will be modified.

The Hendford and South Street ranks will be closely monitored for potential future adjustments.

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Stratford-on-Avon District Council has revoked the private hire operator's licence held by Claremont Cars, based in Honeybourne, Evesham, under Section 62a of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, due to repeated and serious breaches of licensing conditions.

The action was taken in the interest of public safety after Claremont Cars continued to breach the terms of its licence despite receiving prior warnings from the district council.

This follows a previous decision in July 2024  to revoke the dual driver licence of the owner of Claremont Cars after a Licensing Panel hearing. At that time, the business was permitted to continue operating under its existing private hire operator licence.

However, the company has since demonstrated continued non-compliance with licensing requirements, raising significant public safety concerns.

The breaches included:

• Driving a private hire vehicle without a valid private hire driver's licence.
• Allowing an unlicensed individual to drive a licensed vehicle.
• Operating two private hire vehicles without road tax for a 15-day period.
• Failing to notify the district council of vehicle damage within the required timeframe.
• Not providing proper journey records.
• Failing to meet the mandated twice-yearly MOT and taxi compliance testing.
• Permitting an uninsured, non-licence holder to drive a private hire vehicle.

Julie Lewis, Head of Environmental and Neighbourhood Services, said: "The deliberate operation of private hire vehicles without proper licensing or insurance puts passengers and other road users at unacceptable risk. The district council will not tolerate behaviour that compromises safety, and we will continue to take firm action to uphold the standards expected of all licensed operators in the district.

"The licensing system is in place to protect the public. Operators and drivers who fail to comply with these legal requirements will be held to account. We take these matters very seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate."

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