SHAME SHAME
FORMER BELFAST FONACAB DRIVER JAILED AFTER GUN THREAT TO PASSENGER OVER DRUG DEBT
A former Belfast taxi driver, Brian Alexander Stalford, 42, was jailed for 20 months on 2 July. He admit- ted to assaulting and threatening a passenger with a fake gun while under the influence of cocaine. Stalford, who worked for Fonacabs pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The incident arose from a drug debt owed by the passenger.
Dashcam footage captured Stalford brandishing the replica pistol and threatening the passen- ger during a ride in Holywood.
The court heard he struck the passenger with the fake gun and demanded immediate repayment of the debt. Despite initial denials, Stalford eventually admitted guilt. Judge Donna McColgan considered his 66 previous convictions, including prior weapons offences, before imposing the split sentence of 10 months in prison followed by 10 months on licence.
CO DURHAM CABBIE WHO TOOK PASSENGER TO CAR PARK AND RAPED HER JAILED FOR 15 YEARS
A County Durham taxi driver, David Greaves, 42, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a passenger in May 2024. The court heard how Greaves, from Spennymoor, took advantage of the intoxicated woman after she
was placed in his taxi by a friend. Instead of follow- ing the requested route, Greaves detoured to a secluded cemetery
NORTHAMPTON CABBIE CONVICTED IN COCAINE SMUGGLING PLOT
A Northampton taxi driver has been found guilty of trafficking cocaine between his home city and Milford Haven. Pajtim Metaj was convicted by a jury, after just 50 minutes, of possession with intent to supply and being con- cerned in the supply of cocaine, following a two-day trial. Passenger, Albert Nikolla, 26, had previously admitted his role in the crime. The pair were arrested in January after police stopped Metaj’s vehicle in a routine traffic
42
check. Nikolla tried to flee, discarding cocaine with a street value of over £85,000. Metaj initially claimed to
be
unaware of the drugs and to not know Nikolla, but ANPR cameras showed his car had made nine trips from Northampton to Milford Haven between Nov 2023 - Jan 2024, and CCTV footage showed him with Nikolla. Metaj, 26, was remanded into custody and will be sentenced alongside Nikolla on 29 July.
car park where he assaulted her. Despite dropping the woman off at home and her initial lack of recollection, she became sus- picious due to physical discomfort the following morning. She contacted Greaves, who initially admitted to having consensual sex.
He maintained his claim of a con- sensual encounter throughout a f ive-day trial, ultimately resulting in a guilty verdict. Judge Jo Kidd condemned Greaves for his “predatory rape” and his “delusional” denial of the crime. She highlighted the abuse of trust, the abduction element, and the sustained nature of the attack. The 15-year sentence comprises a 12-year custodial term followed by a three-year licence. Greaves will be subject to an unlimited res- training order prohibiting contact with the victim, sex offender registration and a bar on working with vulnerable adults or children.
AUGUST 2024 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
