JARROW

A cabbie has been jailed for six years after he was nabbed dealing a cocktail of drugs worth up to £80,000.

Raymond Connolly was caught with cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis when police busted his South Tyneside home.

Just months later a second raid netted more narcotics after he returned to dealing while on bail.

Now Connolly has been locked up after admitting a series of drugs charges while his girlfriend, Zoey McDonald, was spared prison for helping him.

Police carried out a raid at the family’s Jarrow home in November 2013 and found 136g of cocaine, 300 ecstasy tablets, six kilos of amphetamine and a small cannabis farm.

The drugs haul was worth a potential £75,000 when sold on the streets, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Some £8,851 in cash was also seized along with a VW Transporter mini bus and a Vauxhaul Corsa van, which prosecutors claim were bought with the proceeds of crime.

Prosecutor Mark Guiliani told the court: “Mr Connolly admitted he was selling drugs and said he had been £30,000 in debt, although he has not tried to pay off the debts.

“Miss McDonald said she was aware there were drugs in the property and she knew her partner was selling the drugs.

“She wanted him to stop but was willing to take money to pay household bills.”


http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/jarrow-taxi-driver-jailed-after-8730903
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Rossendale council accused of adopting 'lower' standards for taxi licensing.

The council has hit back at claims by Rochdale council that its licensing policy is undermining work to counter child sexual exploitation

Rossendale council has hit back at claims its taxi regulations ‘undermine’ work to counter child sexual exploitation (CSE) in a neighbouring borough.

A damning report published for Rochdale council’s licensing committee claimed that work to protect vulnerable residents is undermined by a ‘legal loophole’.

Hackney Carriage vehicles licensed by one authority can work in another area as a Private Hire vehicle. The report into Rossendale’s approach to Hackney carriage licences claims this loophole is being used by drivers who obtain a Hackney carriage licence from Rossendale, then go on to work in Rochdale for private hire operators.

According to the report, Rochdale councillors raised concerns last December that Rossendale council allegedly adopts a ‘lower standard’ for its drivers in areas including language skills, area knowledge, and training, as well as safeguarding issues.

The report states that licensing has been at the forefront of Rochdale council’s efforts to improve safeguarding in relation to CSE as licensed drivers frequently come into contact with vulnerable people.

It adds: “All these local benefits are undermined by a policy adopted by a neighbouring authority, which allows drivers over whom this authority has no control, to operate on a regular basis in this borough.

“Given the lengths this authority has gone to in countering CSE it is unacceptable for this progress to be undermined by the actions of another local authority.”

The report suggests that up to 100 drivers may have stopped working as Rochdale-licensed drivers in favour of a Rossendale council badge, although it admits that is merely an estimate.

Rochdale council has this week apologised for not informing Rossendale council of the contents of the report.

Rossendale council said it “refutes various aspects” of the report.

A spokesman added: “We also find it incredulous that their very serious concerns and complaints were not raised with us.

“As soon as we were aware of the report we made contact with Rochdale council, and though we do welcome their apology, we look forward to meeting with them very shortly.”

Steve Rumbelow, Rochdale council’s chief executive, told the Free Press a ‘differential’ between the two licensing policies on aspects of public safety must be addressed.

He added: “We have already apologised because we didn’t make Rossendale council aware of what we were doing. The important thing is the two councils are absolutely committed to working together on this. I think it is to the benefit of all our communities and the trade.”


http://www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/rossendale-council-accused-adopting-lower-8725039

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AYR

A taxi firm in Girvan has had its licence suspended with immediate effect after their vehicles continually failed inspections.

Paddy’s Taxis, one of the main operating firms in the town for a number of years saw their private hire vehicle licence suspended by the council’s regulatory licensing panel at a meeting on Thursday, February 19 at the County Buildings in Ayr.

Licence holder Ellen Moran was asked to explain herself in front of councillors after her vehicles had already failed previous inspections by the council. Before the licensing board meeting, it is believed one vehicle that the firm had on the roads had already been deemed unsafe for use by the council.

The meeting heard from Mrs Moran but decided after hearing all the evidence that they had no option but to suspend her licence with immediate effect.

The Gazette understands that the company’s vehicles had failed previous council inspections.

The news will come as a blow to the six drivers who the firm has working for them and rely on their contract for their livelihood.

Under the terms of the suspension, the firm will not be allowed to carry out any school contracts.

It is also understood that the licence holder might not be able to re-apply for a new licence for up to a period of 12 months due to the numerous failed inspections.

http://www.carricktoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/girvan-firm-loses-taxi-licence-1-3701124