USA
A 32-year-old Uber driver has been charged with assault in the third degree, strangulation and disorderly conduct after an incident that occurred last week on the University of Delaware campus. Police say the driver, New Castle resident Yolande Mcallister, attacked a 19-year-old college student at the residence hall where he was being dropped off after an argument turned violent.
“They had a disagreement and it escalated from there,” Capt. Jason Pires, spokesman for UD Police, told Newark Post Online.
The incident reportedly occurred at 10 PM in the parking lot of George Read Residence Hall on Laird Campus. Police say Mr. Mcallister repeatedly struck and attempted to choke the student passenger, who was later taken to Christiana Hospital and treated for face and neck injuries.
This is not the first time a rideshare driver has been charged with assaulting a passenger in recent weeks. Just days before, an Arizona Lyft driver was arrested for aggravated assault after slashing a passenger with a knife. A month ago, a Hawaii Uber driver was arrested for raping a teenage passenger. His accuser, a 16-year-old from Makiki, says that after leaving a local mall and dropping off her friends first, the driver started making wrong turns, eventually pulling over and attacking her.
Over the years, Uber and Lyft drivers have been accused and convicted of commuting countless violent crimes while on the job. Everything from assault and rape to kidnapping and driving drunk has come up, and it’s been raising concern about the companies’ screening processes, or lack thereof.
Uber does not require its drivers to be fingerprinted, which officials say has led to the hiring of several people who have been convicted of violent crimes. San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón has said that a background check without fingerprints is “completely worthless.” Now just last month, Uber agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations by California prosecutors that it misled passengers about the quality of its driver background checks.
http://observer.com/2016/05/an-uber-driver-has-been-charged-with-strangling-a-student-in-a-dorm-parking-lot/
-----------------------------------
The chairman of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association believes drivers have nothing to fear from the arrival of controversial firm Uber in the Black Country.
It has launched services in Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall which see customers download an app, allowing them to order a car directly from the nearest driver.
No phone calls have to be made and no cash changes hands as payments are made online.
But Shaz Saleem, who heads up the Dudley association, said he believed the traditional way of booking a car over the phone was still valued by customers.
"I think it's all hype at the moment and once that dies down I don't think it's going to affect anyone really.
"We have a lot of traditional customers in Dudley and I think elsewhere in the Black Country too, people like to do their business over the phone because it gives them more confidence, rather than using an app or sending an email and hoping for the best.
"So I'm not really concerned about Uber. I also welcome competition, it's good for us," he added.
The firm, known for its low prices, has said a journey from Molineux to Birmingham’s New Street Station could cost around £23, a trip that could cost up to £40 with other firms, while a journey from Wolverhampton Racecourse to the Mander Centre could cost around £4.50.
The company has also applied for a licence to operate in Sandwell but has no plans at the moment to expand into Staffordshire.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-news/2016/05/23/uber-in-dudley-we-have-nothing-to-fear-from-app-says-taxi-boss/
Monday, 23 May 2016
Friday, 20 May 2016
HULL
A WOMAN has been jailed for falsely claiming a taxi driver sexually assaulted her. Claire Carr, 20, from west Hull was jailed for 12 weeks after she admitted lying about
The driver who was accused, today told the Mail he could have "lost everything" if he did not have CCTV in his vehicle – which proved she was telling lies.
Carr, 20, was jailed for 12 weeks after she admitted lying about the driver attacking her.
The 48-year-old driver picked up Carr from an address in Camelford Close, Bransholme, and took her to her home in Wesley Court, west Hull, on April 13.
He said: "It was just a normal job. " asked her where she was going, we didn't even speak until we got to Freetown Way. Someone had been knocked off their bike and we were saying how bad it was.
"I dropped her off as normal, she paid me the fare, and that was that."
The next morning, the taxi driver, who has worked in the city for 25 years, had a knock on his door from a police officer.
"It was about 8.30am," he said. "I asked if I could help him and he said there had been an allegation of a sexual assault against me.
"I was absolutely mortified."
The driver told the police officer he had CCTV cameras in his vehicle, which were checked and proved nothing had happened.
"She had told police I had made some sexual remarks to her, and that when we got to Fountain Road she said I had tried to put my hands down her trousers," he said.
"She said she screamed and made me stop the car and ran off.
"Thankfully, the CCTV proved different and showed what really happened."
http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Taxi-driver-s-CCTV-lands-sex-attack-liar-Claire/story-29299250-detail/story.html
A WOMAN has been jailed for falsely claiming a taxi driver sexually assaulted her. Claire Carr, 20, from west Hull was jailed for 12 weeks after she admitted lying about
The driver who was accused, today told the Mail he could have "lost everything" if he did not have CCTV in his vehicle – which proved she was telling lies.
Carr, 20, was jailed for 12 weeks after she admitted lying about the driver attacking her.
The 48-year-old driver picked up Carr from an address in Camelford Close, Bransholme, and took her to her home in Wesley Court, west Hull, on April 13.
He said: "It was just a normal job. " asked her where she was going, we didn't even speak until we got to Freetown Way. Someone had been knocked off their bike and we were saying how bad it was.
"I dropped her off as normal, she paid me the fare, and that was that."
The next morning, the taxi driver, who has worked in the city for 25 years, had a knock on his door from a police officer.
"It was about 8.30am," he said. "I asked if I could help him and he said there had been an allegation of a sexual assault against me.
"I was absolutely mortified."
The driver told the police officer he had CCTV cameras in his vehicle, which were checked and proved nothing had happened.
"She had told police I had made some sexual remarks to her, and that when we got to Fountain Road she said I had tried to put my hands down her trousers," he said.
"She said she screamed and made me stop the car and ran off.
"Thankfully, the CCTV proved different and showed what really happened."
http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Taxi-driver-s-CCTV-lands-sex-attack-liar-Claire/story-29299250-detail/story.html
TAXI drivers at Luton Airport fear they could be out of a job after losing a contract to ferry passengers from the terminal.
Luton Hackney Carriage Association has operated a taxi rank outside the terminal for the last 10 years - but drivers within it have covered the airport for 40 years.
But Luton Airport has decided not to renew the contract which ended in February, and following a tendering process has awarded it to London-based firm Addison Lee for five years.
Workers from the new company will begin work at the airport in June, but it spells big problems for drivers based in Luton.
Waqaas Mohuyddin, 37, is a representative for the taxi association, and the third generation of his family to cover the airport.
He told Luton on Sunday: "We have been based at the airport for the last 40-50 years.
"Basically the impact is going to be huge - there are 167 livelihoods at stake and we could become unemployed. There's also the family commitments those drivers have.
"We are all worried about what we are going to do. But we're looking at signing on because there's nothing in the town centre for us.
"I am the third generation of my family to work the airport, and I know people who have done it their whole lives."
But Luton Airport has said that drivers from other firms could still pick passengers up from drop-off zones and car parks, and the decision to award Addison Lee the contract was to 'ensure passengers receive the best service'.
http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Local-taxi-drivers-fear-job-losses-losing/story-29297853-detail/story.html
---------------------------
BEDFORD
A taxi driver who planned to leave his pregnant wife to join the so-called Islamic State has been jailed for 8 years and three months.
Naseer Taj, 26, of Bedford, had prepared to travel to Syria, marry a jihadi bride and achieve martyrdom, his trial at the Old Bailey heard.
In February, he was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts and having copies of the al Qaida's magazine Inspire.
He was arrested during a raid in 2014.
Prosecutors said he was "caught red-handed" on 29 December as he finalised preparations to leave his flat on Victoria Road.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36346610
----------------------------------
AYR
A perverted cabbie has been locked up for three years.
Shaven-headed beast Archibald Buchanan, 68, plied a girl aged just 12 with booze, induced her to watch porn and touched himself in her presence.
The 68-year-old sicko also carried out a sex act on a woman.
He showed no emotion as he was led down at Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday, with the words of Sheriff John Montgomery ringing in his ears.
The sheriff told him he had abused the trust of his victims — and made them feel worse by forcing them to give evidence against him.
Sheriff Montgomery said: “The effects of this (abuse of trust) was all too evident during the trial, which added to the way they felt towards you by causing them to have to undergo examination in a public court.
“The sorrow you have shown in my estimation is hollow and self-serving for what were quite clearly grossly abhorrent actions.”
His lawyer Peter Lockhart said Buchanan understood the appropriate sentence was a custodial one. Mr Lockhart said his client was at a moderate rather than high risk of re-offending.
Mr Lockhart added: “His position is he still denies the offences. But there is an inevitability here, my Lord, and he has been prepared for that.”
Buchanan, of George Place, Doonfoot, was given three years in jail, extended for a further two years on release and put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/perverted-taxi-driver-locked-up-8011247#8DxsCmQGuIrmHDiL.97
Luton Hackney Carriage Association has operated a taxi rank outside the terminal for the last 10 years - but drivers within it have covered the airport for 40 years.
But Luton Airport has decided not to renew the contract which ended in February, and following a tendering process has awarded it to London-based firm Addison Lee for five years.
Workers from the new company will begin work at the airport in June, but it spells big problems for drivers based in Luton.
Waqaas Mohuyddin, 37, is a representative for the taxi association, and the third generation of his family to cover the airport.
He told Luton on Sunday: "We have been based at the airport for the last 40-50 years.
"Basically the impact is going to be huge - there are 167 livelihoods at stake and we could become unemployed. There's also the family commitments those drivers have.
"We are all worried about what we are going to do. But we're looking at signing on because there's nothing in the town centre for us.
"I am the third generation of my family to work the airport, and I know people who have done it their whole lives."
But Luton Airport has said that drivers from other firms could still pick passengers up from drop-off zones and car parks, and the decision to award Addison Lee the contract was to 'ensure passengers receive the best service'.
http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Local-taxi-drivers-fear-job-losses-losing/story-29297853-detail/story.html
---------------------------
BEDFORD
A taxi driver who planned to leave his pregnant wife to join the so-called Islamic State has been jailed for 8 years and three months.
Naseer Taj, 26, of Bedford, had prepared to travel to Syria, marry a jihadi bride and achieve martyrdom, his trial at the Old Bailey heard.
In February, he was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts and having copies of the al Qaida's magazine Inspire.
He was arrested during a raid in 2014.
Prosecutors said he was "caught red-handed" on 29 December as he finalised preparations to leave his flat on Victoria Road.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36346610
----------------------------------
AYR
A perverted cabbie has been locked up for three years.
Shaven-headed beast Archibald Buchanan, 68, plied a girl aged just 12 with booze, induced her to watch porn and touched himself in her presence.
The 68-year-old sicko also carried out a sex act on a woman.
He showed no emotion as he was led down at Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday, with the words of Sheriff John Montgomery ringing in his ears.
The sheriff told him he had abused the trust of his victims — and made them feel worse by forcing them to give evidence against him.
Sheriff Montgomery said: “The effects of this (abuse of trust) was all too evident during the trial, which added to the way they felt towards you by causing them to have to undergo examination in a public court.
“The sorrow you have shown in my estimation is hollow and self-serving for what were quite clearly grossly abhorrent actions.”
His lawyer Peter Lockhart said Buchanan understood the appropriate sentence was a custodial one. Mr Lockhart said his client was at a moderate rather than high risk of re-offending.
Mr Lockhart added: “His position is he still denies the offences. But there is an inevitability here, my Lord, and he has been prepared for that.”
Buchanan, of George Place, Doonfoot, was given three years in jail, extended for a further two years on release and put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/perverted-taxi-driver-locked-up-8011247#8DxsCmQGuIrmHDiL.97
Thursday, 19 May 2016
John Healey Shadow Minister (Housing and Planning) 3:31 pm, 19th May 2016
What an extraordinary waste of time! I counted 42 announcements in the Queen’s Speech and only four had not been announced before yesterday. This is a Queen’s Speech that risks being a waste of the Queen’s time, the people’s time and Parliament’s time. I cannot recall in 19 years in this House seeing a Queen’s Speech debate in which the speeches from the Government Back Benches numbered two and ran out before we got a third of the way into the debate, and those Benches were entirely empty for the rest of the debate.
Headline measures in legislation for this year are little more than a middle manager’s task list for the next month: more control over budgets for prison governors; stop radical preachers from taking jobs in elderly care homes; longer school days; more NHS charging for non-EU citizens; money for school sport from a levy on fizzy drinks. I ask you, Mr Deputy Speaker! This is the “So what?” Queen’s Speech—minimal, managerial, marking time; minor policy changes hugely overblown and hugely over-briefed to the Minister.
What was not a waste of time was the speech from the shadow Transport Secretary, my hon. Friend Lilian Greenwood, and many of the speeches made this afternoon by hon. Members on both sides. My hon. Friend warned the Secretary of State for Transport, who is again not in his place on the Treasury Bench, about the gap between what this Government do and what this Government say. She welcomed the buses Bill, which has received wide support in the House this afternoon, including from Ben Howlett, my hon. Friend Mr Betts and Jim Shannon—who also referred to this as the sci-fi Queen’s Speech.
My hon. Friend Andrew Gwynne also talked about how valuable the buses Bill is, and I think William Wragg, who is no longer here, might have said that, too. Although they welcomed the Bill, my hon. Friends the Member for Nottingham South and for Denton and Reddish both questioned why it was only for areas with elected mayors. We want other mayors to get the same powers in the same way as the Bill goes through this House.
My hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham South took the Government to task for the lack of response to the Law Commission’s report and the lack of a taxi licensing Bill. We want the system to be tightened up so that drivers who are rightly and properly rejected for a licence in their own area cannot sidestep the bar by getting a licence in another area. Above all, my hon. Friend took the Secretary of State to task for the continuing delay regarding any decision on airport expansion, particularly on the runway at Heathrow.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2016-05-19a.165.2&s=Taxi#g228.0
What an extraordinary waste of time! I counted 42 announcements in the Queen’s Speech and only four had not been announced before yesterday. This is a Queen’s Speech that risks being a waste of the Queen’s time, the people’s time and Parliament’s time. I cannot recall in 19 years in this House seeing a Queen’s Speech debate in which the speeches from the Government Back Benches numbered two and ran out before we got a third of the way into the debate, and those Benches were entirely empty for the rest of the debate.
Headline measures in legislation for this year are little more than a middle manager’s task list for the next month: more control over budgets for prison governors; stop radical preachers from taking jobs in elderly care homes; longer school days; more NHS charging for non-EU citizens; money for school sport from a levy on fizzy drinks. I ask you, Mr Deputy Speaker! This is the “So what?” Queen’s Speech—minimal, managerial, marking time; minor policy changes hugely overblown and hugely over-briefed to the Minister.
What was not a waste of time was the speech from the shadow Transport Secretary, my hon. Friend Lilian Greenwood, and many of the speeches made this afternoon by hon. Members on both sides. My hon. Friend warned the Secretary of State for Transport, who is again not in his place on the Treasury Bench, about the gap between what this Government do and what this Government say. She welcomed the buses Bill, which has received wide support in the House this afternoon, including from Ben Howlett, my hon. Friend Mr Betts and Jim Shannon—who also referred to this as the sci-fi Queen’s Speech.
My hon. Friend Andrew Gwynne also talked about how valuable the buses Bill is, and I think William Wragg, who is no longer here, might have said that, too. Although they welcomed the Bill, my hon. Friends the Member for Nottingham South and for Denton and Reddish both questioned why it was only for areas with elected mayors. We want other mayors to get the same powers in the same way as the Bill goes through this House.
My hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham South took the Government to task for the lack of response to the Law Commission’s report and the lack of a taxi licensing Bill. We want the system to be tightened up so that drivers who are rightly and properly rejected for a licence in their own area cannot sidestep the bar by getting a licence in another area. Above all, my hon. Friend took the Secretary of State to task for the continuing delay regarding any decision on airport expansion, particularly on the runway at Heathrow.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2016-05-19a.165.2&s=Taxi#g228.0
UBER LONDON
A cyclist has criticised the safety of the Uber app after her bike was left crushed by a driver and claims there is a “hole in the system”.
Ines Nadal, 30, was cycling home from work in Holborn when she was struck from behind while waiting at a red light at the junction of Theobald’s Road and Gray’s Inn Road on Monday.
The back wheel of her bike went under the car as Miss Nadal fell onto the bonnet, leaving it in a crumpled heap.
As soon as she was back on her feet she prised the crushed bike from underneath the car and attempted to get insurance details from the driver, but to her surprise she says he drove off.
She escaped with only a few bruises and did not require hospital treatment.
Witnesses were able to note down the vehicle’s number plate and Uber confirmed it was one of their cars. But she was shocked to find out they would not take full responsibility for the incident as the driver was a ‘partner’ rather than an ‘employee.’
Miss Nadal, of Hackney, said: “If it happened to any other cab the driver would be investigated. In this case because of the sharing system they said he is not an employee of the company – it is a sharing platform.
“It feels like there is a hole in the system, it is a new start up, there is no rules – it could be very dangerous.”
She is now urging Uber to ensure drivers are given full safety training.
Miss Nadal , a digital consultant, added: “I have been cycling to work for a year. I always take the same route, it is not something that has happened before.
“I am not sure if I feel confident to get on another bike. It was my main way of getting into work.”
A spokesman for the Met said police are investigating the incident.
An Uber spokesman disputed Miss Nadal’s claims there was no investigation process.
He said: “We take any incident of this nature incredibly seriously. We have been in touch with the cyclist and offered our support.
“An investigation into this matter is already underway, and we have suspended the driver’s account in the meantime.”
It comes after Uber drivers set up the London Private Hire App-based Drivers Association to protect workers. Members of the union claim drivers are suspended without a thorough investigation when complaints are made.
The Uber ridesharing app works by connecting users with private drivers via a smartphone app. Drivers sign up to use the app and provide their own cars.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-hit-by-uber-driver-claims-there-is-a-hole-in-the-system-9858166.html
A cyclist has criticised the safety of the Uber app after her bike was left crushed by a driver and claims there is a “hole in the system”.
Ines Nadal, 30, was cycling home from work in Holborn when she was struck from behind while waiting at a red light at the junction of Theobald’s Road and Gray’s Inn Road on Monday.
The back wheel of her bike went under the car as Miss Nadal fell onto the bonnet, leaving it in a crumpled heap.
As soon as she was back on her feet she prised the crushed bike from underneath the car and attempted to get insurance details from the driver, but to her surprise she says he drove off.
She escaped with only a few bruises and did not require hospital treatment.
Witnesses were able to note down the vehicle’s number plate and Uber confirmed it was one of their cars. But she was shocked to find out they would not take full responsibility for the incident as the driver was a ‘partner’ rather than an ‘employee.’
Miss Nadal, of Hackney, said: “If it happened to any other cab the driver would be investigated. In this case because of the sharing system they said he is not an employee of the company – it is a sharing platform.
“It feels like there is a hole in the system, it is a new start up, there is no rules – it could be very dangerous.”
She is now urging Uber to ensure drivers are given full safety training.
Miss Nadal , a digital consultant, added: “I have been cycling to work for a year. I always take the same route, it is not something that has happened before.
“I am not sure if I feel confident to get on another bike. It was my main way of getting into work.”
A spokesman for the Met said police are investigating the incident.
An Uber spokesman disputed Miss Nadal’s claims there was no investigation process.
He said: “We take any incident of this nature incredibly seriously. We have been in touch with the cyclist and offered our support.
“An investigation into this matter is already underway, and we have suspended the driver’s account in the meantime.”
It comes after Uber drivers set up the London Private Hire App-based Drivers Association to protect workers. Members of the union claim drivers are suspended without a thorough investigation when complaints are made.
The Uber ridesharing app works by connecting users with private drivers via a smartphone app. Drivers sign up to use the app and provide their own cars.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-hit-by-uber-driver-claims-there-is-a-hole-in-the-system-9858166.html
MANCHESTER
A drunk woman smashed into a taxi and then racially abused its driver.
Lisa Delaney, 38, was driving her Ford Focus last May when she collided with a black BMW taxi, Manchester magistrates court heard.
At first, Delaney was apologetic, accepting blame for the crash in a Manchester street and reassured the taxi driver she was insured.
But her ‘attitude changed’ - and, the court heard, she spat racial abuse at the Asian driver, who smelt alcohol on her breath.
Initially, the cabbie took Delaney’s keys from the ignition in fear of her drink driving again, but she retrieved them to ‘get her details’ - and drove off.
The police were called and Delaney, of Fairfield Road, Droylsden, was stopped, breathalysed and found to be twice the limit.
Appearing before magistrates at an earlier hearing, she admitted drink driving but denied the racially aggravated public order offence.
But she was then late for a trial, at which the driver and his passenger gave evidence, and Delaney was found guilty in her absence - as she arrived at court too late to take the stand.
In a statement, the taxi driver said he had lost earnings that night due to the ordeal.
He said: “She was out of order calling me names and pushing me about.”
http://goo.gl/nFrsCv
---------------------------------
LONDON TAXI COMPANY
Just days after London’s new mayor revealed plans to clamp down on the city’s toxic smog, the Chinese owner of the London Taxi Co. raised $400 million for a project to electrify its fleet of iconic black cabs.
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., owner of the company that makes London’s iconic black cabs, secured $400 million through a green bond sale. The proceeds will finance the development of the TX5, a hybrid battery-powered version of the classic 1958 FX4, unveiled in October during a state visit to Britain by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“This is a landmark for us, not only in the sense of the funds raised, but also the purpose,” Frank Li, group chief financial officer, said in a telephone call with reporters.
A growing number of investors are seeking to place money into green bonds that fund projects that promise to accelerate the shift away from polluting energy and transport fuels to renewable and clean technology. Almost $56 billion of green bonds may be issued in 2016, topping last year’s record of $46 billion, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Geely’s green bond was oversubscribed by close to 6 times, according to Angie Tang, a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman at Barclays. The company has no plans to issue another in the foreseeable future, Li said.
The transaction is the first credit-enhanced green bond offering from a global auto company, according to Barclays Plc, which was a joint coordinator of the issue with Bank of China Ltd., Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Societe Generale SA. The bonds, maturing in 2021 have a 2.75 percent coupon, the lowest ever for dollar bonds in China’s auto industry, Barclays said.
In the next two weeks, Geely will move to a new factory in Coventry, England, where it will start work on producing a prototype of the TX5, said Li. Commercial sales are set to start in the fourth quarter of 2017. That’s in time for the deadline of Jan. 1, 2018, when London will require all new taxis to be zero-emission capable.
The factory will be able to produce 36,000 electric cabs a year, far exceeding the 23,000 cabs on the London’s streets today. Li said the company is already in discussions with other European “mega cities” striving to curb pollution from their taxi fleets.
http://goo.gl/qPd547
----------------------------------
ULSTER
A Brocagh man has been fined a total of £800 and was disqualified from driving for three months after pleading guilty to taxi offences at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
Mr Andrew Stephen Canavan from Back Lower Road, Killycolpy, pleaded guilty and was fined £150 for using an unlicensed taxi, £200 for having no taxi driver’s licence, £100 for having no taxi operator’s licence and £350 for having no insurance.
It is understood that Canavan was spotted as he stopped outside a Cookstown nightclub on August 1 last year by a Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) enforcement officer.
He was said to have five fmeale passengers in his car, and was observed taking payment from them before the vehicle pulled over.
After the incident, further Investigation was carried out at the scene and follow up checks revealed that Mr Canavan did not hold a taxi driver’s licence or a taxi operator’s licence.
Canavan was charged under the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, the Taxis Act (NI) 2008 and the Public Service Vehicle Regulations (NI) 1985.
Following the reduction in Stormont departments licensing is now under Department for Infrastructure.
http://www.midulstermail.co.uk/news/mid-ulster-news/brocagh-driver-fined-800-for-taxi-offences-1-7392106#ixzz49AhdLSvU
-------------------------------------
A drunk woman smashed into a taxi and then racially abused its driver.
Lisa Delaney, 38, was driving her Ford Focus last May when she collided with a black BMW taxi, Manchester magistrates court heard.
At first, Delaney was apologetic, accepting blame for the crash in a Manchester street and reassured the taxi driver she was insured.
But her ‘attitude changed’ - and, the court heard, she spat racial abuse at the Asian driver, who smelt alcohol on her breath.
Initially, the cabbie took Delaney’s keys from the ignition in fear of her drink driving again, but she retrieved them to ‘get her details’ - and drove off.
The police were called and Delaney, of Fairfield Road, Droylsden, was stopped, breathalysed and found to be twice the limit.
Appearing before magistrates at an earlier hearing, she admitted drink driving but denied the racially aggravated public order offence.
But she was then late for a trial, at which the driver and his passenger gave evidence, and Delaney was found guilty in her absence - as she arrived at court too late to take the stand.
In a statement, the taxi driver said he had lost earnings that night due to the ordeal.
He said: “She was out of order calling me names and pushing me about.”
http://goo.gl/nFrsCv
---------------------------------
LONDON TAXI COMPANY
Just days after London’s new mayor revealed plans to clamp down on the city’s toxic smog, the Chinese owner of the London Taxi Co. raised $400 million for a project to electrify its fleet of iconic black cabs.
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., owner of the company that makes London’s iconic black cabs, secured $400 million through a green bond sale. The proceeds will finance the development of the TX5, a hybrid battery-powered version of the classic 1958 FX4, unveiled in October during a state visit to Britain by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“This is a landmark for us, not only in the sense of the funds raised, but also the purpose,” Frank Li, group chief financial officer, said in a telephone call with reporters.
A growing number of investors are seeking to place money into green bonds that fund projects that promise to accelerate the shift away from polluting energy and transport fuels to renewable and clean technology. Almost $56 billion of green bonds may be issued in 2016, topping last year’s record of $46 billion, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Geely’s green bond was oversubscribed by close to 6 times, according to Angie Tang, a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman at Barclays. The company has no plans to issue another in the foreseeable future, Li said.
The transaction is the first credit-enhanced green bond offering from a global auto company, according to Barclays Plc, which was a joint coordinator of the issue with Bank of China Ltd., Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Societe Generale SA. The bonds, maturing in 2021 have a 2.75 percent coupon, the lowest ever for dollar bonds in China’s auto industry, Barclays said.
In the next two weeks, Geely will move to a new factory in Coventry, England, where it will start work on producing a prototype of the TX5, said Li. Commercial sales are set to start in the fourth quarter of 2017. That’s in time for the deadline of Jan. 1, 2018, when London will require all new taxis to be zero-emission capable.
The factory will be able to produce 36,000 electric cabs a year, far exceeding the 23,000 cabs on the London’s streets today. Li said the company is already in discussions with other European “mega cities” striving to curb pollution from their taxi fleets.
http://goo.gl/qPd547
----------------------------------
ULSTER
A Brocagh man has been fined a total of £800 and was disqualified from driving for three months after pleading guilty to taxi offences at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
Mr Andrew Stephen Canavan from Back Lower Road, Killycolpy, pleaded guilty and was fined £150 for using an unlicensed taxi, £200 for having no taxi driver’s licence, £100 for having no taxi operator’s licence and £350 for having no insurance.
It is understood that Canavan was spotted as he stopped outside a Cookstown nightclub on August 1 last year by a Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) enforcement officer.
He was said to have five fmeale passengers in his car, and was observed taking payment from them before the vehicle pulled over.
After the incident, further Investigation was carried out at the scene and follow up checks revealed that Mr Canavan did not hold a taxi driver’s licence or a taxi operator’s licence.
Canavan was charged under the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, the Taxis Act (NI) 2008 and the Public Service Vehicle Regulations (NI) 1985.
Following the reduction in Stormont departments licensing is now under Department for Infrastructure.
http://www.midulstermail.co.uk/news/mid-ulster-news/brocagh-driver-fined-800-for-taxi-offences-1-7392106#ixzz49AhdLSvU
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Wednesday, 18 May 2016
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