BOLTON

A 62-year-old taxi driver claims he has been denied justice after police refused to press charges over an alleged attack in which he was "viciously assaulted" by a passenger.

Mohammed Aslam says the attack took place outside Bolton police station in Scholey Street after he drove a passenger there because he was behaving aggressively.

The veteran Metro driver need to go to hospital with cuts and bruises on his face after the incident on October 15.

Police have now informed Mr Aslam that there will be no further action in the case because of a “conflict” between the accounts of those involved.
He has now complained to Greater Manchester Police, as well as the region’s crime commissioner and local councillors, in his bid for justice.

Mr Aslam said: “It appears that the investigating officer is not pressing charges because he believes the perpetrator acted in self-defence, but this is ridiculous — I am a frail 62-year-old man who cannot physically attack anyone.”

He said he picked up the male customer, thought to be in his twenties, along with another man from an address in Tonge Fold just before 7pm.

He said he had not realised at the time that the passengers wanted to be taken into Manchester and that when he went past the turn off for St Peter’s Way, the younger man became aggressive and started shouting.

He said: “He was swearing a lot and saying racist remarks to me. He was very aggressive so I pulled in and told him to get out.”

“The men wouldn’t get out so I drove them to the police station in Scholey Street.”

Once in Scholey Street, the 62-year-old alleges that the younger man got out and forcefully kicked his car, prompting the driver to get out of the taxi.

“I shouted at him because he kicked the car and that is when he punched me hard in the eye — he followed this with four or five more punches to my head.

“He kicked me and pushed me again but then two police officers came running to help because I think officers inside the station had contacted them on the radio.”

Mr Aslam admits that he grabbed the customer by his shirt to stop him running from the police but said that was the only point at which he touched him.

He then went to hospital and the man was apprehended by police, but Mr Aslam said he never heard back from them regarding charges.

He said: “Three weeks later I asked my nephew to contact them and he said they would not be taking any action — I felt terrible and I couldn’t believe it.

"This man viciously beat me up and he should be punished.

“What upsets me the most is that he had no regard for my age — I am a frail man with a white beard and he showed me no respect or moral decency, and yet he has walked away.

"Surely it should be for the courts to decide if he acted in self-defence?”

A police spokesman said: "It has been decided that no further action will be taken in this case because of a conflict in the accounts of what happened."

Mr Aslam has now been contacted by Jim Battle, the deputy police and crime commissioner, and Bolton councillor Linda Thomas, who have both agreed to look into the the matter.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11628974._/?
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AYLESBURY

Defect rule change could ‘create taxi shortage’

The council has introduced a points system for dodgy taxis
Had trouble calling a cab recently?

Well it could be down to strict new rules which are taking dodgy vehicles off the road.

Aylesbury Vale District Council has brought in a points system, with spot checks which have left drivers reeling.

They are allowed a maximum of 12 points, and can incur them for a range of safety flaws including no MOT and not displaying a blue drivers’ badge appropriately.

The council says the scheme is a positive move, designed to promote better standards and passenger safety.

But Mohammed Nawaz, of Aylesbury’s Private Hire Association, says it will cripple taxi firms, and lead to a shortage of cabs in the run up to Christmas.

He said: “Some firms could got out of business and this will affect a lot of people.

“They have brought this out of the blue and have not given us any time to make changes.

“Because of the new system safe cars could be taken off the road, because you can get points for not displaying a badge and things like that.

“Officers are going out with the police, the police pull drivers over and give them points, and then officers give them points too, so drivers are getting double points.”

“There has been no consultation with us, and everyone is very unhappy, by Christmas I don’t think there will be many firms left. Some firms have lost most of their cars because the rules are so strict.”

The association will meet next week to discuss the problem, and Mr Nawaz says that a strike has not been ruled out.

But Councillor Brian Roberts, cabinet member for civic amenities, dismissed claims that firms would go out of business.

He said: “Unfortunately it’s the minority ruining it for the majority and I don’t think it’s unfair at all.

“Everyone has to abide by the rules, and if you do then you won’t get any points.

“These people are carrying members of the public and it is important to keep members of the public safe.

“We are the local authority and this is our responsibility, but we are keen to work with these people all the time, but some are not abiding by the rules.

“I haven’t received a negative comment from anyone since this points system was introduced, everyone has said how positive it is.”

http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/more-news/defect-rule-change-could-create-taxi-shortage-1-6441631
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