Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Amazing decision by councillors, perhaps they will book a taxi for their daughter with him :mad:

http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/..._licence_.html

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

OMG!! that is outragious ...so they wait until someone is raped in cab by him:eek: that really stinks so much for our own council protecting the public from evil scum like him:angry: ggrrrrr i take it that none of their family has been harmed by such evil scumbags!!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I think it totally stinks to.I wonder if you ring the councils licensing office,if they would tell you what firm he is working for.Being an ex-taxi driver I know you have to give the firms name you are working on your license application form.Then we all have the choice not to use that firm.I think we should have the right to know this information for the safty of our families,and if the firm in question think its wrong and lose business then they shouldn't employ him.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Wrong, Wrong and Wrong again.:mad:

Yes name and shame the Firm, cause my Misses uses taxi's alone sometimes late on at night, I wouldnt be happy knowing it could be HIM picking her up.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

True point MT i think that the company should be mentioned so that informed choice of safety can be made also im sure that the cab firm would see that it would effect their business to employ him - they forget their is plenty of women who want safe taxis!!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

sorry you cant name the firm as roy could be done for slander .
which we dont want:nono8:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

We arn't on about accyweb Mick hehehehehe we mean the Observer should inform who the taxi firm is....... we wouldnt want accyweb to be closed down or Roy gets done hehehehe:D

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I'm so angry about this. :mad: I'm not sure what I should do now, I get taxis to and from work 4 times a week, and am always alone. Without knowing what taxi firm it is how are we supposed to protect ourselves. The firm should be ashamed of themselves for employing him. We need to know who he works for!!!!

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True Lolly thats the point the council need to address i really cant beleive they have allowed this other than the race card fear which is held at a much more value than the safety of all passengers, i think they should explain themselves - i seriously dread to think & the point of how long has he been on the road as it is before it was reported!!!

I tend to stick with one taxi firm i know & trust as best as possible, im really concious of my safety as it is, as such attacks do happen to you or your family!!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Is it still slander if its TRUE FACT?

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Aren't we also coming up to local election time soon. Perhaps the names of the councillors concerned who voted for it should also be kept in the spotlight ?

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Is it not libel if it's written ?

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I believe it is.

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yes the taxi firm has done nothing wrong ,only the driver if you name the firm and they loose revenue they can sue roy for lost money.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Yes it is libel if written:D

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

True but thats where this country is naffed up, this taxi firm have given this person a job knowing full well of their employees past as in this case, so isn't that their responsibility to ensure their drivers are trust worthy with customers:confused: so will be their own fault!! - In an ideal world of course:rolleyes:

But yeh they would do that mick just to absolve themselves of their own responsiblity!!:mad:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

ok i got it wrong should have been libel so what so sue me

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

this is nothing short of disgraceful, these councillors with the exeption of councillor pritchard (who voted against) should recieve some real pain off constituents now and at election time.

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Or come round and call you names so it's slander :Banane01:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

people do that all the time lancsdave:D

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I always get the same taxi firm, but they could be the ones who employed him. I'd walk home from work, but dont really want to walk through Ossy at 2am. That could be as dangerous as getting in a taxi with this man! I'll just have to ask for one of the drivers that I know and trust, but firms can be funny if you do that.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

the court apparently said the guy should remain on the list until 2011, i assume this was made by them with police evidence? i would be interested to see a POLICE view of this. because it seems to me the council think the police and courts are wrong.:mad:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Thats a good point in fear of getting this scumbag driver it could potentially make women feel its better to walk home at unsafe hours, so this problem really needs to be addressed hopefully before something horrible does happen!:mad:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Another good point is whay have a sex offenders list if its not going to be adhered to for the safety of the public especially half of them at potential risk! I seriously cant beleive in my opinion that this should of been overlooked & why??? Im sure there are many good potential taxi drivers awaiting approval that haven't broken the law nor pose a risk to the public unlike in this case!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

So if I am guilty of a sex offence in a private institution then it doesn't matter that it's my job lost, the council will employ me ? :rolleyes:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Whats even more horrifying is that the incident of sex offence took place last August in A TAXI CAB towards a FEMALE CUSTOMER!!! [as from Observer report].

How can that justify his trustworthyness as a cab driver & how does this guy think others cope with having to live - like the victims of him!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Whats worse is that he has been legally able to pick up female passegers that would of been unaware of his past for the past 4 weeks!! according to the observer:eek: - that is out of order!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Any one of us could have been in his taxi in the past 4 weeks. It makes me feel very vulnerable and quite frankly frightened. I really cant get my head around what the council were thinking. I agree it would be good to get a police point of view on this. But do people not think that the police will just bow down to what the council say.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

would hope not Lolly.but would be very interested to find out, always good to know how strong the opposition is.

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Well done Claire, it's a shame you were the only one with common sence at the vote!!

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Yes they have done something wrong. They are putting passengers at risk by employing this this this person.

Would you blame the school or the teacher if you found out your children were being taught by someone like that???

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

if they didnt know about his dirty deeds, then no they are not to blame but if they did and still employed him then the answer would be yes!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

The people at fault here are the Licensing Committee that made this unbelievable decision, if you feel strongly enough about it let them know by e mail etc, good on you Councillor Clare Prichard for going on record. Any taxi firm stupid enough to employ this driver is committing commercial suicide, as Accrington is the worst place in the world to try to keep a secret.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

An absolute disgrace.

Well done to Cllr. Clare Pritchard, and whovever the mole was who leaked the story to the press, thus letting the public know the facts.

The other councillors should hang their heads in shame, and I hope they sleep easily knowing their actions have put other girls/women at risk.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

you wouldnt happen to have the e-mail address would you Iantow?;)

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I wonder if he has also disclosed his Criminal Conviction to his Taxi Insurers.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

In London there are a great number of reported attacks by unlicenced cabs which wait outside clubs. Women have been attacked, kidnapped, raped, and murdered, and it's a real problem.

However, here in Hynburn we now have a licenced taxi driver who is a convicted sex offender.

Frightening to think that a lot of these councillors from the licencing committee will also be school governors. Would these idiots also allow someone like this to carry on working if he was employed by a school?

Sadly Soham springs to mind, and the names Jessica and Holly.:mad:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

pedophiles driving school buses - coming to a hyndburn school near you soon


well i wouldnt put it past them after this disgusting decision

would you ?

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

cashy;) Councillors addresses contact numbers etc are posted on the notice board outside and inside the Town Hall, then there is always the good old directory, or the information desk in the library.;)

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Cashy this is the e-mail adress of one of the main licensing officers [email protected]

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

This is absolutely disgusting - could not believe it when I read this story. The licencing committee are at fault for giving him his licence as are the firm who are employing him, if they have any shred of decency they should sack him now!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

If you feel strongly about this, there are a number of people to write to


The Chief Exec of HBC is David Welsby - suggest you contact him
http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/roundab...ment_Team.html

You could also email your MP, Greg Pope and let him know.

I would also suggest a letter of support to Cllr Clare Pritchard so that she has acknowledgment of everyone's support.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Thanks Gayle, I for one will putting my thoughts in writing to these people

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Yes, I have too.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

You can find out the contact details for our Councillors on this Hyndburn BC website

Here are the ones mentioned in the Observer

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

thanks MT job done, also thanks to Gayle n neil for the others.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Had the commitee been snorting something when they made their decission? Now its been in the Obo I somehow think he wont get much trade nor the company that employ's him either.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

If we find out who the company is. I would like to know, because I for one will not be using them!!

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i think they shoudl name teh company so that teh firms that are not employing perverts dont loose buisness because they have somone who looks like him working for them

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

he might not work for a taxi firm, he could be on one of the taxi ranks in the town centre,don,t know what the licensing committee are playing at by letting a convicted sex offender drive taxis again, goes beyound believe.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

those taxis work for firms marg, at least they did when i was one.:)

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

the likes of conciller alla dad regurlarly 'represent' such crims with the help of the ethnic minorities police division . its a shame for the decent asian taxi drivers who will be treated with suspicion because of the likes of this taxi driver

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

agree entirely cos i know loads of good lads that drive taxis.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Dear Mr Holden
Thank you for your email to our Licencing Section. I have asked the Councils Chief Environmental Services Officer to provide you with a reply.
Yours Sincerely ------this is the reply i just recieved, obviously at this time it will be next week before i get one- not good enough! i will move on to other avenues.:(

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I am absolutely shocked, horrified and appalled by this ludicrous decision. My daughters and I often use taxis and I'd like to know which firm he works for so we can give them a wide birth.

his cousin Mohammed Bashir said: "Nobody forced the councillors to make the decision - they gave him his licence back."

He added: "This is his living. If he cannot work how can he feed his family and pay his mortgage?"

He should have thought of his family and his mortgage before he started groping his passengers. http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/i...milies/mad.gif

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I agree with the last sentiment wholeheartedly. Taxi drivers are not only nice lads but have a hard job with people who behave excessively or aggressively, particularly at weekends.

As a Councillor we need to have confidence in decisions and Taxi Licensing needs cleaning up. When I sat on a couple of years back I felt very uncomfortable (and bullied) on that committee with the way certain members behaved.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

So when/if you are sat in the big chair will you reform licensing in Hyndburn?

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

So as a councillor knowing the public disgust what are u going to do about it???, surely bullying in any dept should not be acceptable in any division, so therefore should be stamped out so that PROPER FAIR decisions should be made all inclusive not bullied into submission, which sounds to be like prejudice & influence is going on - even inappropiate influence;) if u get me:D that has serious consequences for the general public:confused:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

seems to me councils are run like school yards

everyone does what the bully and his friends say regardless if its right or wrong

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Have I got the right to ring someone from the licensing and ask what firm he is working for?as an ex-cabbie I know they have this information and are they at liberty to tell me?After all I have 3 daughters and dont want them travelling with this individual.If not there is only one thing to do and use the only two firms who I know do not employ asian drivers.Which I am not meaning to be racist but it is the only guaranteed way any of my family will not be drove by this individual.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I thought that earlier MT, it is like you say the only guaranteed way of knowing you WON'T get in this drivers taxi. I only use one taxi company, and that is the one Ginger works for, that way I always know the driver.
If I have to get a taxi off the rank at night on my way home from town, I always sit in the back, and I always ring Ginger and talk to him on my mobile while I am on my way home.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I think its disgusting that this guy is allowed to drive a taxi, I would like to know the firms that dont employ asian drivers, though I've nothing against them, I dont want to risk getting in this guys cab.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

bettys didnt use to but the last time i used bettys i was told by teh driver that they now do

dont usualy use bettys they are too far away , i use cb but ask for drivers i know as i get better charges from them

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

01254 396060 c&o taxi's - Hyndburn cars. They don't have any Asian taxi drivers ( so as to be sure it aint this guy in question that picks you up).

Hope this helps.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

The other taxi firm grego is Church and Oswaldtwistle taxi's (think that's the correct name). My daughter has gone to her friends and instead of ringing the usual taxi numbers, i have asked her to try Betty's first and if they can't pick her up, i will. Wonder how many customers Asian firms will lose this weekend, the decent drivers must be fuming at the councils decission.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Hyndburn cars is C&O (church and ossy) taxi's. Same company.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

We've always used cb Chav but last week we were in Mellor and they wouldn't come to pick us up (said it was too far away) anyway Betty's did, I just wouldn't like to get in this guys cab when I'm on my own.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Thanks for telling me the firms that he wont be working for, we'll use them in future.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Something tells me this affair is going to have some far reaching affects on some cab firms in Accy..wouldn't surprise me if the powers that be re-think this decision pretty rapid!

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I do feel sorry for Asian firms that are good at their job, and honest decent people, because YES I do think this will have a bad affect on them. But personal safety is paramount, and people will go some where else to ensure that they are safe. If I was a taxi firm, I wouldn't employ him even if the queen herself told me I had to, because they are going to lose custom.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I am a very infrequent user of taxis, but I am appalled at the apparent lack of concern for the safety of women using taxis within the borough.
I have e-mailed the councillors who voted for the restoration of this man's licence. I have also e-mailed Clare Pritchard to thank her for taking the safety of women into consideration when making her vote. I would urge other Accyweb members who feel strongly to do the same.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I also think that reputable firms who use asian drivers will feel the backlash of the councillors misguided actions.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

i honestly suspect theres more to this than misguided.:(

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I received an email from Greg Pope and he shares the concerns expressed within this thread. Can I suggest that if everyone feels really strongly about this they email David Welsby (he probably won't appreciate me suggesting that, so sorry) and the Observer as well.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Give me the Email addy and I will.......cos it takes a lot for drivers to even get their taxi license, then they can be taken off the road for a bulb out on the car, Let alone touching up a female passenger, this driver should never work on taxi's again.:mad:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

mr greg pope may share peoples concerns gayle,but did he say what he was going to do about it. after all hes the MP and gets well enough paid to represent people. this aint a pop at you gayle,well done for contacting him.;)

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I put David Welsby's email earlier in the thread.

As for what Greg can do - nothing - he's not in charge of council decisions. However, he can add his voice to the weight of all the other voices which will make them review the decision.

Greg copied David Welsby in when he replied to me.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I put David Welsby's email earlier in the thread.

sorry all i read was slinks askin for it:confused: ------------------------------As for what Greg can do - nothing - he's not in charge of council decisions. However, he can add his voice to the weight of all the other voices which will make them review the decision.--------------------i realise that he can, just hope he WILL.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Hello

Firstly, I'd really like to say how much I appreciate the support of the people on this site. I believe that my job as a councillor is first and foremost to act in the best interests of the people that I represent. I believeI made the best decision for people of the borough and I am proud that I brought this matter to the attention of Officers of the Council who could review this wrong decision. I must add though that it wasn't me who spoke to the press.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

welcome aboard clare and well done for having the bottle to go against these cretins.:)

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Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

for this one action i will be voting for you just like i always voted for your dad .
get down to the fes tomorrow its free be a part of history:xena_bana cmonstanley

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Firstly Clare thank you very much for what you did, and I'm sure a lot of people will agree. More power to you.

Secondly welcome to Accy Web.:)

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

I think you can see that we all think you made the right decision for us as well. I am amazed that the other committee members thought he should get his license back. I believe, and I think most people in Hyndburn would agree, that the rest of the committee should stand down, not only from their seat on the Licensing Committee but also from their positions as Ward Councillors.

This brings up something I have mentioned before. Should elected people be in a position to make decisions like this? What training is given/needed to be on such a committee?


Welcome to the site Clare, its nice to have another Councilor on the forum. I hope you will be able to help us out on some of the Council related topics that often crop up on here. To many of us, the inner workings of the Council is a mystery.
It us usual for new members to introduce themselves in the introduction forum here.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

i think its disgusting ...i will in future be using church ossy taxi's even though they are slightly dearer....

welcome clare to our forum hope you give more input to this site as other's do.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

There's another similar case reported in this morning's Telegraph and from what I can see it's a different bloke.

This one works for CB radio cars - it says in the paper - I can't find the link though.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

saw the placards,not the paper, but what the hell, this lot with the exeption of clare,will let him carry on.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

If it is a different bloke its getting abit rediculous now.How long before the daily tabloids and tv news picks up on this and drags Accy down in the gutter even more:mad:

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

At least they don't let short bold blokes drive taxi's anymore :p :rolleyes: :D

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Welcome Claire and thankyou for your decision, it appears to be the only sensible one. I rarely use taxis when I'm on my own but I shall certainly be using C&O from now on, if the need for a taxi arises.

I hope that this does affect the other Asian drivers, no disrespect to them because I know that the majority of these drivers are decent hardworking people but it may be the fastest way to sort out this problem. This man needs to be prevented from diving taxis and if the taxi business suffers as a result then maybe he will be prevented by his peers.:cool:

After all, if he was so concerned for his livelihood and family, he would not have touched up a female passenger in the first place.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Welcome Claire, you certainly made the right decision, I find it hard to believe that the other members of the commitee voted for his license, I'd put money on the fact that this man will offend again and as a taxi driver he has every opportunity.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Yes it is a different bloke gayle the other one lives 3 streets away from me

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Whoever did should be awarded the freedom of the Borough.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Ladies his mugshot is on the front page,carry it with you so you know who is your driver & always sit in the back seat.Men his mugshot is on the front page,carry it with you sit in the front seat & give the pervert so much grief he'll never want to drive a cab again.I'm sure his exxxxxtended family will sort work out for him to feed his family,but then again maybe at our expense.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Good idea Maxwell.

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Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

This Council is a proven disgrace, vote catching is the name of the game, win at any price, as for assaults on women it may be common practice in some areas of the town. Please note I said this Council which goes accross all party lines, but some have more say than others.

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Don't think this decision was particularly 'vote catching' was it Ian ? Very unpopular with the public, even, I'm sure with the Muslim community, can't see them ever endorsing this type of behaviour. .. can't wait to see Letters to the Editor in next week's Observer, hope they are flooded with disapproval.

Wonder what sort of treatment he would have received in his 'country of origin' .. know which part of his body I would love to cut off first. Ok .. probably don't do this, but sometimes you just wish, don't you ?

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

As one of those involved is a Labour councillor, then surely you must be in contact with him? As you are the leader of the Labour party on the council, doesn't he have to explain his actions to you?

Re: Are You Safe In His Taxi
 

Telegraph Sex Offender

He was arrested for 1st sex offence on 4 Feb. The police asked the Council to suspend his licence. He committed the 2nd offence, again in a taxi, on the 11 march if the LT is correct. HBC said they did suspend him, though this is not quite clear, and an appeal by him entitled to him to carry on, 'innocent until proven guilty'. This law changed on 16 March - 2 days ago.

Was he suspended? That is the first big question or did the Council just back off?

Secondly was he, and CB Taxis brought in for interview and told in the clearest of terms, whilst you can appeal and remain eligible to drive, do you not think for both the business and the alleged offender it might be better to take 'gardening leave'. As it is now CB Taxis was closed yesterday and the business and other drivers adversly affected.

The Councils Constitution

Last year, The Council (not being political but I am not being tarred with the brush) which is the Conservatives, voted to politicise licensing. All appeals and suspensions were taken from officers and now have to be channelled through the Chair and Vice Chair. Councillors Allah Dad and Peter Britcliffe. This of course was a very dangerous course of action should there every be a risk of interference or personal/prejudial interest, such as relatives or votes.

We don't know yet the details of the exact handling of this second case yet, but we do know under the Councils revised Constitution who is responsible for handling it.

Did we do enough - LT case

My questions remain. Did we do enough to stop this guy because I don't accept the legislation is th end of it, we have enough other powers to have pulled out all the stops to keep this guy off the road? The statement by the Council was weak and if there was a cover up, the type of statement I would expect to read, sheltering by one piece of law. I remain unconvinced as yet that we did anywhere near enough. As a result of events, a second woman has now been assaulted.

No-one from the Council has thought of publically apologising to the victims which I thought would have been the first thing to do inthe Observer and the Telegraph, even if it was not in the second case to accept liability, an apology would have been right. PB's only comment so far has been; "It was cross party". Obviously a damage limitation statement by the Council.

In the Observer case, the parent of the woman is up in arms. Events could possibly have been much worse had this case not come out now by the 'mole/whistle blower'. An apology would have been right in my view.

Decision making process

Various decisions have been condemned by Committee members who have approached me as being 'dubious', even when passed with a majority. I have never been approached by a Conservative, they may well have taken their issues to Clr Britcliffe. It is important to point out that Councillors have not turned a blind eye.

PB said that to me back in 2005 when he was Chair (he's now Vice Chair) when I sat in on that Committee I was not fit to be on the Committee and what I personally experienced was bullying and intimidation. I would not back down from my view to his, and it has affected our working relationship. I am one of several Labour Councillors who has been subjected to intimidation and emotional blackmail.

In the end it shouldn't be politics. We just want the right people to make the right decisions. I know deep down and however unpleasant, this one is. I suppose Councillors get accused of throwing mud at each other and this creates a climate where Councillors are reluctant to go against the majority for fear of 'not seen working together'. However sometimes, as with this issue, you have to stand your ground.

Between the decision (19 Feb) and the Observer (16 March), Councillor Clare Pritchard was humiliated in private and in public by certain Councillors who I have no political control over. Barracked, shouted out, called at, in front of other people, for reporting the Observer case to the Managing Director. One day she was in floods of tears with the level of intimidation she had received.

The way forward

We now need a full review of Taxi Licensing, but we will be asking for an independent chair probably from another authority because we cannot turn our backs on the politics of it, people who say politics should come second are obviously putting putting taxi customer's third because, if there is proven political interference, we want to know about. Not shuffled under the carpet so that the same mistales can be made again. No stone should be left unturned.

As well as a public apology we also need to protect the hard working lads who drive taxis and have done no wrong. Their profession in Hyndburn has been dragged through the mud.