Delta Merseyside to Challenge Knowsley BC

Taxi business to challenge ‘intended use policy’ adopted by borough council

A private hire business has applied to judicially review Knowsley Borough Council’s ‘Intended Use Policy’, which requires drivers who obtain their licences in the borough to operate “predominantly in Knowsley”.

Gerald Gouriet QC and Charles Streeten of Francis Taylor Building are acting for Delta Merseyside in the claim against the local authority.

FTB said: “The governing legislation (LGMPA 1976) does not limit the geographical area in which a licensed PHV driver may operate. Long-standing case law has held that a driver who is licensed in controlled district ‘A’ may lawfully operate outside that district anywhere in the UK.

“Delta argue that the council is not empowered under the Act to insist that licensed PHV drivers operate within Knowsley - predominantly or otherwise. In addition to the ultra vires arguments, a lively discussion is anticipated as to the meaning of ‘predominantly’.”

http://bit.ly/2w0FXJi
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PUTNEY PERV GETZ 5 YEARS

A Putney man who said he had "the right" to sexually assault a vulnerable woman after paying for her taxi home has been jailed.

Jeetender Singh, of West Hill, was convicted of assault at Blackfriars Crown Court on July 7 following a five-day trial.

The 41-year-old was sentenced at the same court on August 9 to five years in prison.

He will also remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

On February 14, a 22-year-old woman called the Met Police to report she had been sexually assaulted in the early hours that day.

She had been out with friends in Piccadilly Circus, but began to feel unwell and decided to order a private taxi to go home.

While she was waiting for her taxi, a man approached her and started chatting to her and said he would look after her and later got in the taxi with her.

On the journey back, the victim was sick in the taxi and was told she would have to pay more as a result.

The man, who the victim knew as ‘Hazim’, offered to pay for the fare as they stopped at an ATM to withdraw funds.

They then continued to the victim’s home in North Kensington.

When they arrived, Singh followed the victim to her doorstep and again said he would look after her.

The victim said she was fine and just wanted to go to bed but, as she went through the door and attempted to close it, Singh pushed past her into her apartment.

She repeatedly asked him to leave but he refused.
The victim collapsed into her bed and woke up to find Singh sexually assaulting her.

She told him to get off her, to which he replied: “It’s the least you can do, I paid for the taxi.”
The victim then pushed Singh off her and he left her flat.

He was arrested on July 6 at Heathrow Airport after returning to the UK and denied the offence.

Detective Sergeant Paula Hill, from the Met’s child abuse and sexual offences command, said: “This was a serious sexual offence committed with some element of planning by the defendant.
“Singh completely took advantage of a vulnerable female after a night out in central London.

“The victim was left distraught by this attack but has shown extreme bravery in attending court to give evidence.

“She was very pleased with the verdict and feels she may have prevented Sigh committing similar crimes on other women.”

http://bit.ly/2fAM9S5 
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EDINBURGH

A teenager has been sexually assaulted in a vehicle which she got into thinking it was a taxi in Edinburgh.

The 19-year-old was sitting on a bench in Regent Road at the bottom of Calton Hill, when a man in a grey minibus or people carrier drove up at about 05:45 on Thursday.

She accepted a lift believing the vehicle was a taxi, and was sexually assaulted inside it.
The vehicle was then driven to the top of Easter Road where she got out.

She was then helped by a taxi driver on Montrose Terrace at about 06:15.

Det Insp Kevin Harkins, of Police Scotland, said: "This man has preyed on a vulnerable young woman and this was an extremely frightening ordeal for her. She is now receiving support from specially trained officers.

"I am very grateful to the taxi driver who helped her and thanks to him and the victim, we have a good description of the vehicle and the offender.

"This was a serious sexual assault and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle in the city centre in the early hours of Thursday morning, or may recognise it or the driver."

The man is white, in his late 30s or early 40s, of large build, 5ft 10in with a large nose and short dark hair. He was wearing a light blue or grey polo shirt and light denim jeans.

The vehicle may have been a VW Transporter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-40904132
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