Wolverhampton

Evil rapist posed as a taxi driver outside Wolverhampton nightclub

A sex fiend who posed as a taxi driver to rape a 20-year-old woman he picked up from a Wolverhampton nightclub had his prison sentence increased to 10 years today.

Boshir Ali struck outside Babylon in North Street. The victim, who had been on an evening out with workmates, was helped by a colleague into the 35-year-old attacker’s parked car that had been made to look like a taxi with a yellow sticker down the side.

Both mistook it for a licensed taxi and her colleague, assuming she was safe, inadvertently left her to the mercy of Ali, the Appeal Court in London was told.

Instead of being taken home, she was driven to a lay-by on the A41 near its junction with the M54. Two police officers approached the vehicle to check what was going on but he said she was his girlfriend and they allowed him to drive off to a car park in Tipton where the attack took place.

Ali then dumped the victim near her home. Ali from Wellington Road, Tipton, was arrested the day after the attack just before midnight in May last year.

The victim said in a statement that, after the attack, she had ‘difficulties expressing her feelings’, had problems socialising, endured sleepless nights and found herself ‘unable to move on from the experience’, the court heard.

Ali was jailed for seven years and nine months after being convicted of rape following a trial in November. But today the case went before the Court of Appeal in London where the Solicitor General Oliver Heald asked for the jail term to be increased.

After it was raised to 10 years he said: “This is an appalling case where a man assumed a position of trust by posing as a taxi driver and then went on to betray that trust when he raped the young woman he had agreed to take home. An assault of this nature is every woman’s nightmare.”

Judges said Ali had deliberately parked his car to ‘mislead the public into believing he was a taxi driver’ and picked a woman who was ‘worse for wear with a view to sexual assault’.
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CHICAGO – Following its introduction in New York City as the city's newest taxi, Nissan unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show a customized Chicago taxi featuring more content tailored to the unique needs of metropolitan cab service than ever before.

Chicago has about 7,000 cabs in service, and Nissan wants those who know them best - taxi riders and drivers - to engage in dialogue about what features make for a better taxi experience. The public can share their thoughts through social media such as Twitter or Facebook using #HailYes.

The Nissan NV200 taxi's green and white design expresses a modern take on a historically popular Chicago taxi color. The Chicago NV200 taxi offers USB charging, anti-fatigue driver's seats, panoramic sky views of the city, reduced odors, improved leg room, more cargo space, passenger safety and other conveniences that no other taxi offers.

The Nissan NV200 is the only taxi on the market to have been crash-tested with the partition installed. Because the partition and equipment are designed to custom-fit the vehicle, passenger safety is improved by rounded edges and fully functioning airbags - features that many taxis do not have.

"With great feedback from drivers, riders and media in New York, we've had a number of dealers across the country raise their hands to get a supply of NV200 taxis for cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and across Texas. We think Chicago is a natural fit for the premium taxi experience NV200 delivers at a competitive price," said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing, Parts & Service, U.S.A.

"Nissan's #HailYes campaign will engage Chicagoans in conversation about what's needed for a better taxi experience in the city," said Diaz. "The solution for an improved taxi isn't a pipe dream; it's already here. We'd love to see those visiting or watching coverage of the Chicago Auto Show voice their support with a #HailYes shout-out in social media for the NV200 taxi."

Drawing on insight from taxi drivers, fleet owners and passengers, the Nissan NV200 taxi aims to provide the comfort and convenience of black-car service in an everyday taxi you can hail on the street. One of the Nissan NV200 taxi's popular design elements is the transparent roof that gives riders stunning views of Chicago city sights and skyscrapers.

Other features include:

Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current and recently unveiled taxi models
Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit
Opening side windows
Independently controlled, rear air conditioning
Active carbon-lined headliner to help neutralize interior odors
Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings
Mobile charging ports for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports
Breathable, germ-fighting, durable and easy-to-clean seat fabric, simulating the look and feel of leather
Flat "no hump" passenger floor area for more comfortable ride
Roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for side-impact and rollover protection for all outboard occupants – the NV200 taxi is the first taxi to be crash-tested with taxi equipment installed, including the partition
Other notable NV200 taxi features focus on driver comfort, customer satisfaction and the environment:

A low-annoyance horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking, so the horn is used less frequently
Hearing Loop System for the hearing impaired
Driver and passenger intercom system
Proven 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain, engineered to enhance the emission performance and fuel efficiency of the taxi fleet
150,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
A 6-way adjustable driver's seat featuring both recline and lumbar adjustments, even with a partition installed
Unique driver's seat material and stitching to promote improved airflow
USB auxiliary audio input and charge port for driver
Standard navigation system with integrated "RearView Monitor"
Taxi wiring and installation provisions
The NV200 taxi is now on sale. Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle starts at approximately $29,700.
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London

A 44-year-old man has been fined for taxi touting outside a Gants Hill nightclub.

Abiodun Dada, of Yellowpine Way, Chigwell, was spotted on CCTV operating outside Faces nightclub, Cranbrook Road, at 2.20am on January 26.

Two females and a male were seen getting into his Renault Scenic, unaware he was an unlicensed taxi driver.

He was then stopped by police at Redbridge roundabout.

Dada, also charged with driving without insurance, was slapped with a £100 fine, a £20 victim surcharge and £85 in costs at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and his car was seized.


Det Supt Ellie O’Connor said revellers should make sure they only travel in licensed taxis, preferably by phoning a company directly.
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The Case against CCTV in Cabs and Minicabs

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/take-out-video-watch-couple-3122112

This could be a publicity stunt, but it could be a Cab driver making £50 of the gutter press.
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The case against natural gas (CNG) vehicles

A speeding taxi crashed into a pickup truck which caused the vehicles to burst into flames in the middle of the motorway. The injured victims were sent to hospital.

Nearby was a gray Toyota Hilux, Phor Nor 5960, which had sustained impact damage to the rear. The police assumed that the taxi was travelling at high speed and the driver may of dozed off causing it to collide into the back of the pickup truck.

Mr. Attakrit Sukolsatitkul, a 34 year old taxi driver from Saimai, Bangkok and a Mr.Suwichai Kethorm, a 26 years old from Srakaeo, who was the pickup driverwere both injured and had been sent to hospital. The police had closed the road causing a traffic jamming of more 10 kilometers.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2014/02/07/speeding-taxi-crashes-into-pick-up-causing-a-fire/