TooManyTaxis

Black Days for the London Taxi

News admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:05:23 +0000

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Norwich taxi worker caught in undercover sting

News admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:18:25 +0000

A Norwich taxi worker was caught in an undercover police operation using the cab offices where he worked as a base to receive stolen goods. David Goodall, 57, who works for Beeline Taxis in Prince of Wales Road, was caught on four occasions receiving stolen items at the taxi offices after he was approached by an undercover officer, called Jim, who offered to supply him with stolen goods, Norwich Crown Court heard yesterday.

Malcolm Robins, prosecuting, said the undercover operation followed suspicious activity at the taxi offices after a number of people were seen entering the offices with carrier bags and then leaving empty handed.

Mr Robins said that on two occasions Goodall bought meat and sausages and on another two occasions sat-nav equipment.

Goodall, of Ipswich Road, Long Stratton, who had previous convictions for handling stolen goods, admitted attempted handling and was jailed for three months.

Judge Paul Downes said it had been an “organised” operation, adding: “People knew to come to you at the taxi office with their stolen goods and though the value in total is not high, it almost had the appearance of a small business.” David Wilson for Goodall said that since his arrest the taxi office where he worked had now said it would eject anyone who offered any items for sale: “He remains employed by the business. He is a hard worker.”

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Norwich taxi worker caught in undercover sting

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BBC spends 50000 pounds a day on taxis

News admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:33:59 +0000

The BBC spent an astounding 18.2 million pounds in 2008-09 on taxis and hired cars, with the daily expenditure coming to almost 50000 pounds, a media report … See all stories on this

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BBC spends 50000 pounds a day on taxis

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Clamp down on illegal parking in Gloucester

News admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:33:59 +0000

The council and Gloucestershire Constabulary will be issuing offenders with tickets after taxi drivers said they could not get to their rank.

A spokesman from the authority said the crackdown would help taxis collect revellers leaving clubs in Eastgate Street.

He said there was no reason to park illegally as there were three car parks nearby that were free after 1600 BST.

Ch Insp Rich Burge, of Gloucestershire police, said: “At the moment we are finding that Eastgate Street is full of parked vehicles the entire length of the road on both sides on Friday and Saturday nights.

“This is not acceptable because it means the street is becoming congested and at times dangerous.

“I would make a direct appeal to those driving into the city to use the free parking that is available and not to be tempted to take spaces they shouldn’t.”

Original Source: Clamp down on illegal parking in Gloucester

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NTA Conference 2010

News admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:16:01 +0000

NATIONAL TAXI ASSOCIATION Company Number 3384756 2010 Annual General Meeting & Conference Marriott Hotel, Queens Parade, Sunderland, SR6 8DB Conference Partners and Sponsors Sunderland City Council And Commercial Members Autocab : LTI Ltd : MJS Claims Ltd Event Timetable Monday 25 th October 2010: (approx)1500hrs – 1800hrs : Directors Meeting (Directors & Officials Only) Tuesday 26 th October 2010: 1400hrs (1330hrs Registration) : Annual General Meeting (Beverages on Arrival) £55-00 per member (incl. Open Session) (Members Only) Tuesday 26 th October 2010: 1900hrs for 1930hrs Chairman’s Dinner Dinner £27.50 pp (Open to Everyone) Glass of Red or White Wine on arrival Councillor T Martin, the Mayor & his Mayoress of Sunderland City Council will attend the Dinner Seasonal Melon with Sorbet and Fruit Coulis :: Pan Fried Chicken, Shallot, Bacon and Mushroom Jus Sticky Toffee Pudding with Caramel Sauce :: Freshly Brewed Coffee with Mints :: Red & White Wine CABARET :- “JOHN GARRIMORE” (Top NE Comedy Entertainer) & Vocalist “TRACEY” Wednesday 27 th October 2010 : 1000hrs (0930hrs Registration) : Conference Open Session £55-00 per delegate (Beverages on Arrival + Hot & Cold Buffet Lunch) (Open to Everyone) Grand Raffle Draw (tickets [£1-00] available at the Agm; Dinner; & Open (Nominated Charity > McMillan Nurses) > 3 Prizes > £500 / £300 / £200.

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NTA Conference 2010

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Scottish News: Taxi driver accused of hit and run on man lying in road

News admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:01:23 +0000

A taxi driver ran over a man who was lying in the road then drove on, a court heard yesterday. Andrew Brown, 47, is alleged to have checked that he had run…

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Scottish News: Taxi driver accused of hit and run on man lying in road

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Police warn revellers to be on alert for bogus drivers after taxi stolen

News admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:01:23 +0000

POLICE and licensing officials are warning city centre revellers to be on their guard tonight in case they fall victim to a bogus driver in a stolen taxi.

The warning follows the theft of a fully-badged private hire taxi earlier this week.

The black Skoda Superb Comfort TDi, registration number SB05 ZVW, was taken from outside an address in Cromartie Street, Dresden, between 11.15pm on Wednesday and 6.45am on Thursday.

Police are concerned that the car, which belongs to Normacot-based firm Autocabs, could easily be mistaken by drinkers and clubbers for a genuine cab.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said anyone getting into a car matching the description should look for identification to confirm the vehicle and driver are genuine.

She said: “The vehicle had stickers on both doors with the word ‘Autocabs’, and the licence badge number is PH824.

“Police are urging people who may use a taxi during the weekend to check the licence badge number inside the vehicle.”

Councillor Joy Garner, pictured, who chairs Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s licensing and registration committee, which regulates taxis in the city, said she was extremely concerned about the theft.

She said: “This is quite worrying because the car will look like a real taxi.

“I am concerned that someone could be using this car for criminal purposes on very busy nights in the city centre like tonight, or Monday, which is aa very popular night for students.

“Not only could someone be using the car to earn money illegally, but there is a risk that passengers could be attacked and robbed or even raped.

“Even if the driver is just earning extra money from it, they will not be licensed so the vehicle won’t be covered by insurance in the event of an accident.”

Mrs Garner said that, by law, all private hire vehicles must display identification on their dashboards, and drivers are also required to wear photo ID badges.

She said: “Anyone getting into a taxi should always make sure that the driver is wearing their ID badge, and that the picture looks like them and the details match the vehicle.

“If in any doubt about the authenticity of the driver or cab, the passenger should call the police immediately.”

But she reassured residents that there is no reason for undue alarm as long as they take simple precautions.

Asif Mohammed, a partner at Autocabs, is also concerned about the theft.

He said: “If someone is using this stolen car to operate in the city it would be a big concern for us.

“But all our drivers have badges and plates on the dashboard, so passengers can check that they are getting into a genuine taxi.”

Anyone with information about the taxi theft should call contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 1234455, quoting incident 103 of September 2.

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Police warn revellers to be on alert for bogus drivers after taxi stolen

Yorkshire Evening Post - News

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Judge calls for better protection for taxi drivers

News admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:01:23 +0000

A senior judge has warned it is vital taxi drivers are guarded at night, as pressure grows to increase the protection available to cabbies.

Detaining two defendants for a violent unprovoked attack on a taxi driver in Northampton, Judge Thomas Corrie said it was imperative employees of private hire firms were protected.

The calls come in the wake of two assaults this week in Northampton involving a gang of three girls who held terrified drivers at knifepoints, causing one of them serious slash wounds to his throat and hands as he struggled to break free.

Judge Corrie spoke out at a case which saw two Moulton College students unable to return for the start of the academic year after taking part in a drunken attack upon a taxi driver.

Haydyn Darlow and William Miller, both aged 18, had spent the evening out drinking heavily in Northampton town centre when they called for a taxi.

Michael Waterfield, prosecuting, said the taxi driver arrived to collect their group from St John’s Avenue at 3.20am on February 13.

He said: “When he got there he found five people waiting for him and there was only room for four people in the taxi. He offered to call them another taxi but as he reached for his phone and put it to his ear, Darlow grabbed his hand.”

The court heard the driver then went to activate the panic button alarm system but Darlow grabbed it and told him to drive. It was then that one of the gang, three of whom have never been identified, struck him in the face with a beer can. The driver got out and ran off, pursued by the five passengers, but he was cornered and repeatedly punched in the face and kicked.

When interviewed, Miller told officers he had drunk half a bottle of cheap brandy and had no recollection of what had happened while Darlow, who had a previous conviction for assault with intent to rob, said he had drunk 10 pints of Guinness and some shots.

Darlow, of Whiston Road, Kingsthorpe pleaded guilty last month to assault and actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 10 months detention.

Miller, of Dorset Road, Kingsthorpe, was sentenced to nine months at a young offenders’ institution.

Judge Corrie said that although there was powerful mitigation for both defendants, it was outweighed by the public interest.

He said: “It is perfectly obvious that it is in the public interest that taxi drivers at night are protected and not attacked which is a seriously aggravating feature as is the excessive drink”.

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Judge calls for better protection for taxi drivers

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Teenager slashed cabbie’s throat

News admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:06:46 +0000

Source: Wales Online

A TEENAGER who slashed a cab driver’s throat with a cider can while attempting to rob him, was given a four- year youth custody order yesterday.

Jamie Lee Morgan, 18, of Treboeth, Swansea, admitted attempted robbery and wounding at the city’s crown court.

John Hipkin, prosecuting, said on March 31 this year Morgan was in the back of a cab being driven by 52-year-old Lynn Johns.

Morgan, who had taken a mixture of methadone, spirits, cider and strong lager, suddenly demanded the cab driver’s takings.
The 18-year-old, who was holding a crushed cider tin, placed his hand around the driver’s throat and Mr Johns instinctively accelerated in a bid to escape.

He managed to break free from Morgan, who was left behind on the side of the road, but the driver immediately noticed two gashes in his neck.

He needed more than 20 stitches at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital and Mr Hipkin said “entirely fortuitously” the wounds were not life-threatening.

Ian Wright, for Morgan, said the defendant had not intended to cause the injuries and the cider tin had not been deliberately used as a weapon.

Judge Paul Thomas QC told Morgan: “Taxi drivers are vulnerable when providing a service to members of the public like you and they must be protected.”

Mr Johns now cannot do night duties. He said his wages had been cut by half as a result of his inability to do night work.

WalesOnline - Home - CardiffOnline

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Plea for older taxis expected to fail

News admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:44:52 +0000

CALLS to allow older taxis on the road in Ripon face rejection because council bosses fear it could lead to lower standards for customers.

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Plea for older taxis expected to fail

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Tokyo taxis lead the charge to electric urban travel

News admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:12:43 +0000

USING taxis in its Tokyo electric vehicle trial has provided six years of valuable experience in just six months, Better Place says. … See all stories on this topic

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Tokyo taxis lead the charge to electric urban travel

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Taxi man gets life for murders, robberies

News admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:12:43 +0000

A Mangaung taxi driver was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Bloemfontein High Court on Friday for several murders and

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Taxi penalty system stalls at last moment

News admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:11:27 +0000

By David Paine » twitter.com/davidpaineWN THE roll-out of a penalty points scheme aimed at raising standards among Worcester's taxi drivers

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Taxi penalty system stalls at last moment

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Cabbie Iain Coombes delivers baby in the back of his cab

News admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:11:27 +0000

Metro A taxi driver has told how he picked up a punter – and then delivered her baby. Iain Coombes was called to collect heavily pregnant Ayse Sabuncu …

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Cabbie Iain Coombes delivers baby in the back of his cab

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Illegal cab driver raped student

News admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:56:30 +0000

Source: ITN

An illegal minicab driver is facing a long prison sentence after being convicted of raping one of his passengers.

Astor Murray was caught after being stopped by police for taxi touting six years after he attacked the 22-year-old student.

The 49-year-old’s DNA was checked against unsolved crimes and matched to evidence in the rape in 2003.

Murray, from Enfield, north London, was found guilty of rape and indecent assault at the Old Bailey and has been remanded in custody awaiting sentence.

Murray told the jury that while he admitted to being an illegal taxi tout, he hadn’t raped the student because she had consented.

Students in London are often warned of the dangers of taking unlicensed mini-cabs in the capital. The victim had told the court she’d be out with friends when Murry approached her at a bus-stop – offering to take her home for a tenner.

As a result of the attack the women says she is now afraid of going out alone and has not been able to have a relationship with a man since the incident.

ITN Headlines

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