A Hyndburn Borough Council taxi driver has lost his appeal against the revocation of his licence after the vehicle he was driving was found to contain suspected drugs.

The driver claimed he had purchased the vehicle and returned it to another driver the following day due to mechanical issues. 

However, at the time of the vehicle being stopped, he was the registered owner and produced a fraudulent 'new keeper' slip.

On August 28, the driver's appeal was dismissed by Blackburn Magistrates' Court, upholding the council's decision to revoke his hackney carriage and private hire driver's licence.

The name of the driver involved in the case was not included in court documents.

A Hyndburn Council spokesperson said: "The use of licensed vehicles to transport illegal substances or for any other illegal purposes will not be tolerated and the council will use all the powers it has to ensure that those responsible are brought to task."

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An Uber driver serving time for killing a man in a hit-and-run incident has had his driving ban reduced.

Kunathilinghan Mohanthas, 48, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison earlier this year after pleading guilty to culpable homicide. 

He had struck Christopher Hanton, 40, (pictured) with his car in Glasgow on 5 August 2023, causing fatal head injuries.

Lord Clark, the presiding judge, initially imposed a 13-year and nine-month driving ban. However, Mohanthas's lawyers argued that this sentence was too harsh.

The Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh agreed with the defence and reduced the driving ban to ten years and seven months. 

Lord Doherty, one of the judges, stated that the initial ban had not been discounted sufficiently following the guilty plea.

The court heard that Mr Hanton had been out with friends when he ordered an Uber. Upon getting into the car, Mohanthas asked him to exit and a verbal altercation ensued. 

As Mr Hanton walked around the front of the car, Mohanthas began a three-point turn and struck him with the vehicle.

Mr. Hanton was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. 

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Two brothers from Bransgore, Hampshire, have been sentenced for a series of crimes, including an attack on a taxi driver's vehicle.

Dillon Alan Cooper, 21, and Thomas Edward Cooper, 21, appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on 10 September, after pleading guilty to their charges.

The court heard that on 28 February, 2023, the brothers caused significant damage to a taxi in Bransgore's Burley Road by firing ball bearings at it shortly after 11 am. The incident left the driver fearing for their safety.

Both brothers were ordered to pay the victim £650 each, bringing the total compensation to £1,300.

Dillon Cooper also admitted to stealing camping equipment and tools worth £3,500 from a vehicle in Emery Down in June, 2023, and Cooper was ordered to pay the victim £2,746.62 in compensation.

In addition to the compensation, both brothers received an 18-month community order. 

Thomas Cooper must complete a maximum of 15 rehabilitation activity days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He also received a sentence for two separate counts of assaulting a police officer and sergeant in January 2023.

Dillon Cooper was mandated to complete a maximum of 20 rehabilitation activity days and 270 hours of unpaid work.

PC Katherine Gillingham said: "This is a positive outcome for the victims. The Cooper brothers must now face the consequences of their actions and compensate those they harmed. 

"We will always work tirelessly to hold offenders accountable for such behaviour and criminality."

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A local taxi and private hire company has successfully recruited a significant number of new drivers, thanks to a streamlined pre-licensing process supported by Bassetlaw District Council.

6Five2s, based in Worksop, hosted a fast-track application event to assist potential drivers in completing the necessary pre-licensing checks. 

The council's Licensing department was also present to offer guidance and information, while drivers were given the opportunity to take the Knowledge Test, achieving an impressive 89% pass rate.

As a result of the event, 29 new taxi drivers are currently in the process of becoming licensed by Bassetlaw District Council.

Denice Davis, Director at 6Five2s, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating: "This has been a collaborative effort. By licensing drivers and vehicles from the Bassetlaw area, we're contributing to the local economy. 

"Our goal is to provide a high-quality service and work closely with the council to ensure a safe environment for the community."

The streamlined licensing event assisted drivers with various pre-licensing requirements, including ID checks, application forms, DBS checks, safeguarding tests, group 2 medicals and driver assessments.

Cllr Josie Potts, Chair of Licensing at Bassetlaw District Council, emphasised the positive impact of the increased number of taxi drivers, stating that it will provide more transportation options for residents.

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Boxall Taxis will become the first taxi company in the UK to equip selected vehicles with CabinAir’s cutting-edge Nordzone™ System and Nordzone™ Air Quality Monitor.

This initiative will significantly improve air quality for both drivers and passengers.

Announced on UN Clean Air Day, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating healthier, safer, and more comfortable journeys in urban environments.

The Nordzone™ System, renowned for its innovative particle charging technology, sets a new standard in in-car air purification. Unlike standard cabin air filters, the Nordzone™ System employs a patented technology that electrically charges airborne particles.

With this advanced method, the optimized filter can capture also the smallest and most harmful pollutants, including viruses, bacteria, exhaust smoke, and ultrafine particles from road, tire, and brake wear, before they can reach you, ensuring your vehicle remains a haven of clean, fresh air.

Ajmer Singh Bachra, one of the Directors of Boxall Taxis Ltd, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating: "At Boxall Taxis, the health and wellbeing of our drivers and passengers are our top priorities.

"Through our partnership with CabinAir, we are taking concrete steps to protect our community from the dangers of air pollution.

"Selected vehicles will be equipped with the Nordzone™ System, offering an additional layer of defence against harmful pollutants, ensuring that every breath our drivers and passengers take is cleaner and safer."

CabinAir Sweden expressed its enthusiasm for the collaboration: "We are thrilled to partner with Boxall Taxis. The Nordzone™ System is designed to deliver the highest standards of air quality inside vehicles, comparable to the best home air purifiers.

"By making the invisible visible through our Nordzone™ Air quality monitor, we empower drivers and passengers with real-time air quality data, fostering a healthier and more comfortable driving experience.”

Why It Matters

Air quality is more than just a comfort issue—it's a matter of health. The smallest airborne particles pose the greatest threat as they can enter the bloodstream and impact the cardiovascular system. With respiratory and cardiovascular diseases on the rise, the collaboration will represent a major step forward in safeguarding the health of drivers and passengers.

Cleaner air also reduces driver fatigue, leading to more energetic and stress-free journeys.

How It Works: Advanced Air Cleaning Without Compromise

The Nordzone™ System employs patented technology to electrically charge airborne particles, allowing the optimized filter to capture also the ultrafine particles before they can reach the vehicle's occupants.

This system provides superior filtration without compromising airflow or increasing power consumption, ensuring that drivers and passengers enjoy clean air without sacrificing comfort or efficiency.

Enhancing Driver Health and Wellbeing

Boxall Taxis Ltd and CabinAir Sweden are proud to pave the way for healthier, more enjoyable journeys. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to improving air quality, ensuring that every ride is not just comfortable, but a breath of clean and fresh air.

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