PAISLEY

 An OAP cabbie who mowed down a man in Paisley town centre after a row at a taxi rank has been banned from driving.

Jim Corbett mounted the kerb in a pink hackney and ran over Christopher Flannigan.

Corbett, 73, denied a charge of dangerous driving but was convicted yesterday following a trial at Paisley Sheriff Court .

Prosecutors claimed he hit Flannigan after the pair began rowing and he “lost the rag.”

Blair Dalgleish, 24, said he climbed into the back of the hackney after a night out with pals – and watched as Corbett hit Flannigan while he was in the car.

He explained: “There was an argument between a taxi driver and a boy.

“As we approached to get in the taxi, we were refused because he thought we were with that boy.

“He let us in when he realised we weren’t. We were sitting in the back and the argument continued between the driver and the boy.

“The driver put his foot on the accelerator.

“The boy jumped out the way.

“He went to drive away, and the boy kicked the passenger side door.

“The taxi mounted the kerb and hit the boy. He hit the ground.

“The taxi reversed and the boy got up. I could see he was hobbling.”

The incident was captured on CCTV and the footage was played to the court, showing the pink cab with Paisley 2021 branding veering towards the lad.

It then circled around and mounted the pavement next to the shelter shortly before 2am on August 28 last year.

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STOCKPORT

Fifty Stockport licensed private hire vehicles driven by Lynx drivers are being fitted with telematic devices which measure emissions from the vehicles. The devices will also record routes driven which will help identify the best location for the future installation of electric charging points across the borough.

It is hoped that the initiative will show drivers and the taxi operator the potential financial and environmental benefits of converting their cars to less polluting electric vehicles.

Councillor Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Health said:

“We are delighted that Lynx Taxis has shown such enthusiasm for this project and hope that it is a first step on the way to an electric powered taxi fleet in Stockport. Air pollution is an urgent public health issue resulting in the premature deaths of around 2000 people in Greater Manchester alone. Only by working in partnership with business can this serious problem be addressed. ”

Ed Carman from Electric Blue UK said:

“Our EVolve fleet analysis demonstrates the real world economic and environmental benefits of going electric to both drivers and fleet operators, as well as the feasibility of converting to an electric vehicle. We are delighted to be working with Stockport Council and Lynx taxis on this initiative."

Nicola Marshall Account Manager at Lynx Taxis said:

“Lynx Taxis are thrilled to be involved with this project and we are very aware of air pollution issues. Working alongside Electric Blue UK and Stockport Council this situation can be addressed. The interest of our drivers in this initiative has been overwhelming, and we are looking forward to being at the forefront of future change.”

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