A teenager, who was 16 at the time of the attack, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, December 12.

The thug, who cannot be named for legal reasons, launched the unprovoked assault on 55-year-old David Walker on July 13, 2023, leaving the victim brain-damaged.

Mr Walker, a driver for Central Cars, had picked up a man, who did not pay the fare and fled to a house in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire.

The teenager then came out onto the street and confronted Mr Walker.

Prosecutor Anna Chisholm said: "He was being encouraged by other males in the house who were shouting and asking him to make a recording."

A row then broke out between pair. The teenager yelled at the cabbie: "I am taking your taxi for a drive. Do not f***ing grab me." He then repeatedly punched Mr Walker, who tried to block the blows.

Miss Chisholm said: "Mr Walker momentarily fell to the ground and the accused repeatedly stamped on his head and kicked him as he tried to stand up."

CCTV of the attack - which was partially obscured by trees - was played at the hearing. As he sat in the dock, the assailant initially covered his eyes with his hand to stop him watching the footage.

Mr Walker was dragged across the road as the thug threatened to stab him. He tried to escape to his taxi, but was followed and ended up on the ground bleeding and the thug booted him another two or three times.

Miss Chisholm: "Other males repeatedly warned him that he had killed Mr Walker. On one occasion, he replied: 'Good'."

The taxi firm controller could hear what was happening via Mr Walker's radio and called for help. A fellow driver turned up and found the victim lying unconscious.

Mercy crews arrived at the scene - the attacker lied that he had been stabbed.

Mr Walker was rushed to hospital - he was suffering from a traumatic brain injury, broken nose and larynx as well as a dislocated shoulder.

Miss Chisholm: "For the first 24 hours, doctors were concerned that he may succumb to his injuries."

Mr Walker received intensive treatment before finally being able to leave hospital on 6 October 2023.

He requires "ongoing specialist input" including from an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and clinical psychologist. He has also been unable to work.

He will be sentenced in the new year.

Lord Armstrong, who presided over the case, described the attack as "one of the most grave charges" and ordered a social work report to inform sentencing.

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A Belfast taxi boss has warned of driver shortage as figures show dramatic decline in operational licences.

The number of operational taxis in Northern Ireland has plummeted by over 2,000 since 2020, according to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). This represents a 20% decline from the 9,164 registered three years ago.

Belfast has seen the most significant drop, with the number of registered taxis falling from 3,597 to 2,854 in just six months.

Derry & Strabane has also experienced a substantial decline, with 1,294 taxis registered in 2020 compared to 929 this year.

SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole expressed concern over the issue, highlighting the impact on public transportation and the economy. 

He daid: "There are many reasons for the fall in licence holders, with many drivers leaving the profession during the pandemic, while others have cited the difficulty in obtaining licences, alongside the cost of vehicle upkeep, pay, and safety concerns.

"It's clear the lack of available taxis is having an impact on our economy, putting people off going into the city and also on the lives of many people who struggle to access other forms of transport, including the elderly and those with disabilities.

"I would urge the Infrastructure Minister to revisit the application process to examine ways the profession could be more accessible, without compromising on the rigorous vetting process needed for taxi drivers.

"The Minister and his department should work with the sector and listen to the concern of drivers and businesses to ensure we have the drivers we need on the roads."

Stephen Anton, of fonaCAB (Belfast) Ltd, and spokesperson for the Licensed Taxi Operators Association, echoed these concerns. While acknowledging the decline in taxi licences, he emphasised the more pressing issue of the dwindling number of active drivers.

He warned that while the number of active licences was around 7,000 last year - "the number of active drivers was 5,791".

"That's to cover the whole of Northern Ireland, seven days a week, 24 hours a day."

But Stephen said around 300 of those are limo drivers, while holidays and sick days need to be factored in - so in reality you're left with around 4,750 drivers operating over a week which translates as "1,500 drivers operating across Northern Ireland at any one time" when shifts are factored in.

"The number of active drivers is the problem," Stephen added.

He warned that the current number of active drivers is insufficient to meet the demand, particularly during peak times.

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A Glasgow man has spoken out about the discrimination faced by visually impaired people and their guide dogs after being refused a taxi ride to a funeral.

Colin Hetherington, a director of Deafblind Scotland, was left outraged when a taxi driver refused to take him and his guide dog to a funeral on November 20th.

The driver cited allergies as the reason for the refusal, despite not possessing the required exemption certificate.

Colin explained: "I asked to see his certificate of exemption, which is legally required.

"He claimed it was in the office, then that his son was the one that had allergies while refusing to take me.

"I eventually told him he can either take me or I'll take him to court and report him to the taxi board."

The incident highlights a wider issue. A recent Guide Dogs survey revealed that 72% of guide dog owners faced access refusals in the past year, including being turned away from food and drink establishments.

Many reported negative impacts on their social lives and mental well-being.

Hetherington, who has previously taken legal action against taxi drivers in Newcastle and South Shields for similar incidents, emphasised the ongoing discrimination faced by visually impaired people.

Colin added: "Black hackney cabs aren't that bad but private hire will hit you with every excuse under the sun not to take the dog. It's common for them to claim they have allergies.

He called for greater awareness and enforcement of equality laws to ensure equal access for all.

"It's 2024, and discrimination against the visually impaired is still common," he said. "I refuse to be treated like a second-class citizen."

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Stirling taxi users could face higher fares in the coming year, as a recent tariff review recommends a price increase of around 3%.

The proposed changes aim to reflect rising costs, with the new rates rounded to the nearest 10 pence.

Under the new structure, a 10-mile journey would cost approximately £23.60, up from the current £22.90. A 20-mile trip would increase to £44.70, compared to the current £43.40.

Key proposed changes:

• Base rates:
  • Tariff 1 (standard): £3.50 (up from £3.40)
  • Tariff 2 (nighttime): £4.10 (up from £4.00)
  • Tariff 3 (5 or more passengers): £5.60 (up from £5.40)
• Distance increments:
  • Reduced for all tariffs
• Waiting time, extra charges, and booking fees: Remain unchanged

The review, conducted by Licensed Vehicle Surveys and Assessment (LSVA), suggests the increase is justified given rising costs and the need to maintain a viable service. However, the final decision rests with Stirling Council, which will consider public feedback before implementing any changes.

The council aims to finalise the decision in February 2025, with the new fares potentially coming into effect shortly after.

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A man who falsely posed as a private hire driver in Bury has been handed a suspended sentence.

Faisal Hussain, 31, from Bolton, forged a private hire driver's licence to continue operating after his genuine licence had expired.

The deception was uncovered by Bury Council licensing officers when a vehicle he was driving failed a routine inspection at a test centre.

Hussain pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 when he appeared before Stockport Magistrates’ Court on 11 September.

At his sentencing hearing in November, Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court sentenced him to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 100 hours of unpaid work, and pay £454 in costs and surcharges.

Councillor Charlotte Morris, Cabinet Member for Culture, Skills and the Economy, warned of the dangers of unlicensed drivers and praised the work of local authorities in ensuring public safety.

She stated: "Thankfully, Hussain's deception was uncovered after just one month.

"This case highlights the importance of licensing taxi drivers locally, where rigorous checks and ongoing enforcement can be carried out."

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