SHAME SHAME
MILFORD HAVEN FIRM FINED £1,000 FOR NOT IDENTIFYING DRIVER WHO COMMITTED OFFENCE
A Milford Haven taxi company has been fined £1,000 for not identi- fying a driver who was alleged to have committed an offence. It was alleged that the driver of a Seat Alhambra, belonging to Elite
Taxis Ltd, had committed an offence in the Avon and Somerset Police force area. The company was charged with failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of
a vehicle when required. The offence was proved using the single justice procedure at Bath Magistrates’ Court on May 16. Elite Taxis Ltd was fined £1,000, must pay a £400 surcharge and £90 costs.
EAST AYRSHIRE CABBIE IN COURT ACCUSED OF ASSAULT AFTER OFFERING TO WAIVE FARE
A Drongan cabbie has appeared in court accused of offering to waive a woman’s taxi fare in Cumnock following an alleged sexual assault. James Mitchell pleaded not guilty to the charge at court last month. The 58-year-old is alleged to have sexually assaulted a female pass- enger in his taxi by stroking her arm and thigh while at a layby on
Skares Road in Cumnock last September. Court papers allege that “for the intention of humiliating, distress- ing or alarming her”, he directed a sexual verbal communication at the woman. The complaint alleges he ‘did make sexual comments to her and offer to waive her taxi fare in return for sexual favours, all
without her consent”. Defence solicitor Tony Currie told Sheriff Maria Kicinski his client was pleading not guilty to the charge and that Mr Mitchell intended to lodge a special defence of consent at a trial. Bail was continued for Mr Mitchell, and he will return to court at a later date.
SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR IPSWICH MAN WHO LIED TO POLICE OVER COLCHESTER CABBIE CRASH
An man who lied to police to help a friend following a collision between a taxi and a motorcyclist in Colchester has been given a suspended prison sentence. Taxi driver, Samuel Obeng, 58, had panicked after the collision in October 2022, Ipswich Crown Court was told. After stopping his taxi nearby, Obeng had contacted his friend, Lawrence Obese, and got him to lie to police about being the driver. Obese had arrived at the scene of the accident 20 minutes later, claimed to officers to be Samuel Obeng and produced a driving licence and taxi driver ID in
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Obeng’s name. Obese provided a breath sample, which was negative for drink and drugs, and had run off shortly afterwards when police realised he was not actually Obeng. The court heard that the accident in which the motorcyclist was injured had been the motor- cyclist’s fault. Obeng, of Colchester, and Obese, 47, of Ipswich, admitted attempt- ing to pervert the course of justice. Obeng, who also admitted failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident, was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, a 20-day
rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work. Obese was given a 33-week prison sentence
suspended for 18
months, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work. The court heard Obeng was a licensed taxi driver and had panicked after the collision as he was worried the incident would be reported to the council and he would lose his licence. The court was told Obese had made a “terrible judgement call” by lying to police to help his friend and was “ashamed and embar- rassed” by his actions.
JULY 2024 PHTM
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