BOLTON 

A MAN who did not have enough cash to buy the drugs he wanted, smashed a taxi window, injuring a woman and repeatedly punched the car's driver.

David Hunt and his friend Chloe Johnson had called a taxi from Metro cars to take them from his Winster Close, Breightmet home to Back Horsa Street in Tonge Moor, where 36-year-old Hunt planned to buy drugs in the early hours of August 26 last year.

But Bolton Crown Court heard how he became frustrated and an argument broke out with Miss Johnson, who remained in the taxi, after he visited two properties and came back empty handed.

Roger Brown, prosecuting, said the taxi driver, Saqab Khan was concerned that he had been directed to park in a dark back street.

"The defendant had an argument with Miss Johnson," said Mr Brown,

"He then, for no apparent reason opened the driver's door and punched Mr Khan several times to the head. The consequences of that are bruising."

Hunt claimed that, out of frustration, he then punched the taxi window, smashing it and injuring Miss Johnson.

"The defendant accepts he caused injury to Miss Johnson. This was far from his intention but he appreciates his actions were reckless," said Mr Brown.

Mr Khan drove to the Metro car's base just a few yards away and paramedics were called but Miss Johnson refused treatment for her bruised and swollen face

Hunt was arrested and pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, assault and criminal damage.

Betsy Hindle, defending, said Hunt "deeply regrets" his behaviour and added that his life had spiralled downwards after he lost his job as an electrician at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Drugs, in recent times, have become an unhealthy and detrimental habit of the defendant," said Miss Hindle.

"Sadly, on this occasion, Mr Hunt allowed this recent addiction of his to get the better of him and he resorted to unacceptable behaviour.

"This is simply at the thought and frustration of not being able to obtain drugs.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/18991664.thug-lashed-taxi-driver-drug-buying-failure/

----------------------------------------------

Taxi drivers in Burton have pleaded with council bosses to extend their licences on ageing vehicles as they have seen trade all but wiped out during the coronavirus pandemic.

Burton cabbies have united to ask East Staffordshire Borough Council to extend vehicle licences due to the downturn in trade, which has left many facing looking for other jobs or having to work exceptionally long hours on very low income, they say.

The council's licencing committee is now considering their concerns, raised in a letter signed by 19 taxi firms across East Staffordshire, now known as the Burton Taxi Trade after forming an alliance.

Currently private hire vehicles must be replaced when they reach seven years old and hackey carriage vehicles at 10 years old, but the alliance hopes to extend this by a year to avoid drivers having to replace their cars during the current climate.

From December 2020 to December 2021, a total 90 private hire vehicles and 26 hackney carriage vehicles would need to be replaced under the current licence.

The letter said: "The taxi trade at present is still suffering very badly since we last wrote to you and like many other businesses due to covid 19 and the lockdowns and restrictions imposed.

"Drivers are leaving the trade and those working are having to work for exceptionally long hours for exceptionally low income.

"Considering what the situations are at present with the taxi trade, the trade is asking for the council to consider an extension to the September vehicle expiry to allow at least a further year for vehicles expiring due to the seven-year age rule.

https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/taxi-drivers-want-extension-ditching-4856387

-------------------------------------------

Caernarfon Crown Court

A taxi driver tried to escape a driving ban by getting a friend to take his penalty points for speeding.

But the boss of his firm reported the incident and the pair were found out.

Private hire driver Craig Stuart Jones and his accomplice Paul Nathan Jones had been found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after a trial.

Today they appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court to be jailed for five months and three months respectively.

The judge, Her Honour Judge Nicola Jones, told the men: "This offence undermines the very foundation of the justice system in England and Wales. A deterrent sentence is necessary."

The court heard Craig Jones has contributed to his community, partly as a Covid-19 volunteer and as a Staff Sergeant Instructor in the Army Cadet Force, while Paul Jones is a carer.

But the judge insisted: "The offence is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate."

Prosecutor Nicholas Williams told the court Craig Jones was caught speeding on the A55 by a speed camera on January 23, 2018.

He said he was caught again on the same road by the same camera the following day.

The prosecutor said Craig Jones already had points on his licence so he knew he would be disqualified from driving if caught due to the totting up of his points.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/anglesey-taxi-driver-covid-volunteer-19574551