SHAME SHAME
EDINBURGH TAXI DRIVER FINED AFTER RUNNING RED LIGHT AND HITTING CHILD
Edinburgh cabbie, Duncan Beattie, 77, has pleaded guilty to driving without “due care and attention” after striking a four-year-old child at a pedestrian crossing. The incident occurred around 3:15pm on April 15 in South Gyle. The child was crossing the road after pressing the button when Beattie drove through a red light. The child’s head “struck the taxi before falling backward and being caught by his parents.” The child sustained a lump on his forehead
and minor bruis- ing.
Appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Beattie told the court he did not see the red light. He claimed the crossing’s traffic lights previously showed an amber signal as the pedestrian light turned green, a flaw that has since been corrected. When Sheriff Cook asked him
directly if he ran a red light, Beattie admitted: “Yes.” The sheriff described the incident as a result of “inattention” and considered Beattie’s clean driving record. Beattie received a £400 fine (reduced from £600 for his early plea) and was given five penalty points on his licence (reduced from an initial seven). Beattie reportedly remains a working taxi driver and intends to continue for at least another six months.
SHOCKED MUM FLED FROM BARROW CABBIE WEARING BOXERS AND DRUNK AT WHEEL
Pensioner and taxi driver Geoffrey Thomas Albery was fined and disqualified from driving after being found behind the wheel while over the legal alcohol limit and wearing “only his boxer shorts,” a court heard. The incident occurred on the eve- ning of August 23 in an Aldi Car
Park in Barrow. A member of the public noticed Albery was “parked funny” with a flat tyre. Despite being warned not to, a woman and her children got in for a fare. Prosecutor Lee Dacre stated that when the woman saw the 69-year- old “sat behind the driver’s seat wearing only his boxer shorts, she
TORBAY CABBIE LOSES LICENCE AFTER ASSAULTING POLICE OFFICER
A Torbay taxi driver has had her licence revoked after being found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker following a day of drinking. Torbay Council’s licensing com- mittee heard the driver had failed to notify of her arrest and charges within the required 48 hours. The driver had previous con- victions, including while under the influence of alcohol which the
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committee was concerned “dem- onstrated a pattern of behaviour that extended beyond isolated incidents and reflected a lack of personal responsibility and poor judgement.” The council report concluded: “Members considered that the respondent’s convictions and conduct fell far below the standard expected of a licensed driver.”
quickly got out and ran away from the scene with her children.” A witness, who questioned Albery, felt the need to remove his keys to prevent him from driving off. Albery was arrested after a roadside breathalyser test showed 94 mcg in 100 ml of breath (the legal limit is 35), which later dropped to 86 mcg in police custody. Solicitor Karem Templeton said he had been watching football and drinking at home before falling asleep. “When he woke up, he was disorientated. He thought it was the following morning when it was 7:20pm that evening.” Ms Templeton also noted: “He was working as a taxi driver. He has since lost his job and given up his licence to the council.” Magistrates fined Albery £211 and imposed a driving disqualification of 22 months. He was also ordered to pay an £84 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
NOVEMBER 2025 PHTM
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