TAXI drivers at Luton Airport fear they could be out of a job after losing a contract to ferry passengers from the terminal.

Luton Hackney Carriage Association has operated a taxi rank outside the terminal for the last 10 years - but drivers within it have covered the airport for 40 years.

But Luton Airport has decided not to renew the contract which ended in February, and following a tendering process has awarded it to London-based firm Addison Lee for five years.

Workers from the new company will begin work at the airport in June, but it spells big problems for drivers based in Luton.

Waqaas Mohuyddin, 37, is a representative for the taxi association, and the third generation of his family to cover the airport.

He told Luton on Sunday: "We have been based at the airport for the last 40-50 years.

"Basically the impact is going to be huge - there are 167 livelihoods at stake and we could become unemployed. There's also the family commitments those drivers have.

"We are all worried about what we are going to do. But we're looking at signing on because there's nothing in the town centre for us.

"I am the third generation of my family to work the airport, and I know people who have done it their whole lives."

But Luton Airport has said that drivers from other firms could still pick passengers up from drop-off zones and car parks, and the decision to award Addison Lee the contract was to 'ensure passengers receive the best service'.

http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Local-taxi-drivers-fear-job-losses-losing/story-29297853-detail/story.html
---------------------------
 BEDFORD

 A taxi driver who planned to leave his pregnant wife to join the so-called Islamic State has been jailed for 8 years and three months.

Naseer Taj, 26, of Bedford, had prepared to travel to Syria, marry a jihadi bride and achieve martyrdom, his trial at the Old Bailey heard.

In February, he was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts and having copies of the al Qaida's magazine Inspire.

He was arrested during a raid in 2014.

Prosecutors said he was "caught red-handed" on 29 December as he finalised preparations to leave his flat on Victoria Road.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36346610
----------------------------------

 AYR
A perverted cabbie has been locked up for three years.

Shaven-headed beast Archibald Buchanan, 68, plied a girl aged just 12 with booze, induced her to watch porn and touched himself in her presence.

The 68-year-old sicko also carried out a sex act on a woman.

He showed no emotion as he was led down at Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday, with the words of Sheriff John Montgomery ringing in his ears.

The sheriff told him he had abused the trust of his victims — and made them feel worse by forcing them to give evidence against him.


Sheriff Montgomery said: “The effects of this (abuse of trust) was all too evident during the trial, which added to the way they felt towards you by causing them to have to undergo examination in a public court.

“The sorrow you have shown in my estimation is hollow and self-serving for what were quite clearly grossly abhorrent actions.”

His lawyer Peter Lockhart said Buchanan understood the appropriate sentence was a custodial one. Mr Lockhart said his client was at a moderate rather than high risk of re-offending.

Mr Lockhart added: “His position is he still denies the offences. But there is an inevitability here, my Lord, and he has been prepared for that.”

Buchanan, of George Place, Doonfoot, was given three years in jail, extended for a further two years on release and put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/perverted-taxi-driver-locked-up-8011247#8DxsCmQGuIrmHDiL.97