CLEETHORPES

A taxi driver called to take an alleged rape victim home says she was "very drunk" and not wearing much when he picked her up.

Footballer George Glendon is accused of raping the woman at a friend's house after meeting her on a night out in Cleethorpes.

The Fleetwood Town player, 22, of Outwood Drive, Heald Green, Cheadle, near Stockport, Cheshire, denies raping her on February 21 last year.

The prosecution at Grimsby Crown Court claims that the woman was so "falling over drunk" that she was "incapable of stringing a sentence together" - and unable to consent to sex.

Glendon, who previously played for Manchester City, admits to having sex with her but says it was consensual.

Now aged 21, the woman gave evidence in court yesterday, and at one point, got so upset that the jury had to be sent out.

When questioned by defence barrister Judy Khan QC she said that she could remember being in the Lite House nightclub but added: "I don't really remember anything from then until I was in the house."

She agreed with Miss Khan's claim that there was "never a time when you were running away".

Miss Khan said that text messages were sent by the woman during the time that she claimed she had a "memory blackout".

They were sent to a man who worked in the local licensed trade.

She told the court: "We occasionally met for sex. He was a friend."

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FOLKSTONE

 A taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting a girl “he thought was 13” while she was “out of it” on morphine has been found not guilty.

Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard how Atif Meer, 27, started to get angry with his 17-year-old passenger when she declined his advances “because he needed to have sex with an English girl”.

The Folkestone Taxi driver, who has since lost his license, was due to get married in Pakistan just days after the incident.
'Crying'

He admitted there had been touching after he picked the young girl up in Dymchurch on January 31 last year, though he said she consented.

After a two day trial, magistrates ruled the teenager’s behaviour “was not consistent with being sexually assaulted“ – including a text message saying: "Help. Taxi driver perving."

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 HASTINGS

 Bogus taxi driver fined and disqualified from driving

Mr Ashley Hussey (48) of Parklands, Maresfield (trading as Village Cars), was found guilty by Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 1 December, in absence. His case was adjourned until 22 December for sentencing. As a result of his actions, Mr Hussey now has a criminal record.

Mr Hussey failed to attend both hearings and the court heard that he had his taxi driver’s licence revoked by Wealden District Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee in May 2017 for using an un-licensed vehicle. Also, there had been numerous customer complaints regarding the poor level of service provided to them by the taxi driver, with many left stranded and out of pocket following his failure to arrive and take them to pre-booked arrangements, including hospital appointments and airport runs.

Despite having his taxi licence revoked and receiving further warnings from the Council, Mr Hussey continued to trade as Village Cars and drive his unlicensed taxi, and his vehicle was logged in the vicinity of Gatwick airport on more than 80 separate occasions between August and December 2017. As a consequence the Council made an application to the court to utilise their powers to disqualify Mr Hussey from driving to prevent his continued disregard for the legislation.
Councillor Nigel Coltman, Chairman of the Licensing Committee said:

“It is clear that Mr Hussey had a blatant disregard for the licensing regime and the service he provided to the public,”
“Despite being given every opportunity to comply, and repeated warnings to cease his unlawful activities, he continued to trade and to let down members of the public.
"I would encourage people to check before getting into a taxi that it bears the correct identification markings showing it is operating legally and that the driver carries their official identity badge”.

All licensed taxis are subject to annual insurance checks and a full twice-yearly mechanical inspection, while drivers must pass regular medical and criminal record checks.

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