SHAME SHAME...
JAIL FOR BASINGSTOKE TAXI DRIVER WHO FAILED TO LOOK PROPERLY AT JUNCTION AND KILLED MOTORCYCLIST
A Basingstoke taxi driver who pulled out of a junction and crashed into an oncoming motorcyclist, killing him, has been jailed for two years. Jawed Iqbal, 57, failed to stop as he came out of the Ashmore Lane junction on the A30 in Old Basing on January 14, 2019. He administered CPR on the biker but tragical- ly, Justin Reygers, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene. Winchester Crown Court heard that after an examination of the crash scene, it was esti- mated that Jay only had around five seconds notice of the impending collision. However, he should have been easy to see as he was travelling with his headlight on at full beam. Evidence also showed that Mr Iqbal’s car
was still in second gear indicating that he rolled out onto the junction before stopping. An impact statement was read out to the court by Jay’s new wife Laura. She said: “On
CORNWALL CABBIE LEAVES ACCIDENTAL LEWD VOICEMAIL
A taxi driver who had his licence revoked after accidentally leaving an explicit voice- mail for a disabled customer has failed to get it back. Cornwall Council’s licensing committee made the decision earlier this year after hearing that Malcolm Black, 70, had also driven erratically and answered the phone at the wheel before later leaving the “disgusting” voicemail. Mr Black’s HC/PH licence was taken from him “in the interest of public safety” after deeming that he was not a “fit and proper person” to hold such a licence. Mr Black appealed the decision which was heard before at Bodmin Magistrates’ court on Tuesday 22 September. At the hearing Cornwall Council heard that on two occasions the wheelchair-bound complainant was in a taxi with Mr Black. She said his driving was erratic and both she and her carer told the court that Mr Black on one occasion also answered his phone while driving. The complainant also did not deem the vehicle to be suitable for her electric wheelchair and described Mr Black’s driving as “horrendous”. After the second journey the complainant decided that Mr Black would not be suitable to transport her on future occasions, both due to the vehicle and Mr Black’s manner of driving. The complainant said she told Mr Black politely that the vehicle was not appropriate, while not mentioning his driv- ing as she “didn’t want to be rude”. A short while later, Mr Black called the com-
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plainant and left a voicemail, informing her that he believed he had found a more suitable vehicle. But as Mr Black closed his flip phone with the intention of ending his message, the phone was still con- nected as he began
speaking to another individual. Mr Black could be heard making the remark, ‘can I f**k you while you’re in your wheelchair?’. The complainant immediately contacted the taxi firm and complained to the council. After magistrates heard the appeal and delib- erated the bench told Mr Black that his appeal had been denied. They stated: “We feel that the vehicle in which you turned up was inap- propriate and you recognised that quite clearly. On the balance of probability we feel your driving was not appropriate to the situa- tion and you should have driven much more carefully. We felt your attitude towards her disability was not a professional one. “We agree that the conversation was totally inappropriate and find that this is not the behaviour of a right and proper person to be driving, especially vulnerable people. “We feel on balance you are not a right and proper person to have this licence and therefore we do not agree with your appeal.” Mr Black must also pay £1,500 legal costs.
14 January two people died that day. I lost who I was as a person. I have lost my best friend.” Mr Iqbal had a DVLA record with a previous incident of driving without due care and attention for which he had incurred a £65 fine. He has a history of driving accidents and complaints and was also caught speed- ing in 2009 and caught driving with a mobile phone in 2007. The judge concluded that Jay was ‘clearly visible’ and Mr Iqbal had a ‘perfectly ade- quate view. He described the 57-year-old's driving as ‘driving that falls not far short of dangerous driving’. He was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and received a driving disqualification.
DUNFERMLINE DRIVER DRUNK ON SCHOOL RUN
A Dunferm- line cabbie was more than two times over the alcohol limit whilst working on the school run. According to the Dunfermiline Press, police had received a report that taxi driver Gur- mit Singh had been drunk behind the wheel when taking pupils to school. When officers stopped him the next morning, he was smelling of alcohol and his eyes were glazed. Singh, 39, from Dunfermline, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on August 27 and admitted that in Drylie Street, Cowdenbeath, he drove a car having consumed excess alcohol. His reading was 54 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millil- itres of breath, the legal limit being 22 microgrammes. Depute fiscal Jill Currie said: “When officers spoke to him, they could see his eyes were bloodshot and glazed. Even though he was wearing a face mask and was chewing gum, they could smell alcohol from his breath.” Singh failed a roadside breath test and then another at the police station. Sheriff Charles Macnair called for reports and Singh will be sentenced on October 28. A temporary driving ban was imposed until then.
OCTOBER 2020
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