PHTM - Private Hire & Taxi Monthly

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❤️ USE LOCAL - THESE ARE THE STORIES WE NEED TO SHARE…!🌟 A massive thank you to ABC Taxis Mansfield and especially the a...
16/11/2025

❤️ USE LOCAL - THESE ARE THE STORIES WE NEED TO SHARE…!

🌟 A massive thank you to ABC Taxis Mansfield and especially the amazing driver who came to our rescue today 🌟

After an awful experience with an Uber driver who refused to take us (despite our kitten being safely contained in a box), I was left £20 down, upset and stressed with my children in tow.

I rang ABC and within 15 minutes they had a car on its way.

The driver was honestly one of the loveliest people I’ve met.

He he jumped straight out to help with the children, made sure everyone was safely buckled in, got us to our vet appointment on time, and then even helped get the kids out while I dashed inside to check in.

His kindness, patience, and calm manner turned what started as a stressful day into something so much easier to handle. We were charged a more than fair price as well considering the exceptional customer care.

He went above and beyond and I’ll always remember how genuinely lovely he was. ❤️

ABC Taxis never disappoint! their drivers are true gems and this one in particular has completely restored my faith in human kindness.

🚖 I won’t ever be using Uber again, but ABC you’ve got a loyal customer for life!

🟨 JOINT OPERATION IN CHELTENHAM LAST NIGHTEnforcement officers from Cheltenham & Wolverhampton Councils, along with Glou...
15/11/2025

🟨 JOINT OPERATION IN CHELTENHAM LAST NIGHT

Enforcement officers from Cheltenham & Wolverhampton Councils, along with Gloucestershire Police, braved the heavy rain to carry out safety checks on taxis and private hire vehicles at the first day of the November Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse.

And they’ll be back there again tonight...

⬛️ RIP : SAD TO REPORT THE RECENT PASSING OF KEWAL KRISHAN FOUNDER OF ACE-ABC TAXIS MANSFIELD Known fondly to many as ‘K...
15/11/2025

⬛️ RIP : SAD TO REPORT THE RECENT PASSING OF KEWAL KRISHAN FOUNDER OF ACE-ABC TAXIS MANSFIELD

Known fondly to many as ‘Kris’,
his vision, hard work, and unwavering commitment laid the foundations of what ACE-ABC Taxis is today.

From its modest beginnings in 1979, Kris built the company on the values of reliability, professionalism, and community service.

Through his leadership, ACE-ABC Taxis grew and evolved into Mansfield’s leading taxi provider.

ALL at PHTM send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and work colleagues,

🟦 UBER DRIVER JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN AFTER DRIVING ONE HOME FROM NIGHT OUT IN CARDIFFAn Uber driver wh...
14/11/2025

🟦 UBER DRIVER JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN AFTER DRIVING ONE HOME FROM NIGHT OUT IN CARDIFF

An Uber driver who targeted vulnerable young women in Cardiff, s*xually assaulting two passengers has been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.

Amanuale Mebrahtu, 28, was convicted of assault by pe*******on and s*xual assault following incidents involving two separate victims who he came into contact with while working as a driver.

In the first incident, a student ordered an Uber home after a night out. During the journey, Mebrahtu’s questions became s*xual, and he asked her if she wanted to “sleep around with other men.”

When they arrived at her address, Mebrahtu asked the woman for a hug. Believing this was the quickest way to end the encounter, she agreed. However, the driver groped her bottom.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant noted Mebrahtu then asked the victim if he could go inside her house or if she would get back into his car.

The victim reported the incident to police and Uber, but Mebrahtu later sent her a friend request on Snapchat, causing further anxiety.

In her victim personal statement, the woman detailed the long-lasting impact, stating: “I am disgusted by what he did to me, he targeted me because I was on my own and vulnerable…” She added: “The incident will remain with me for the rest of my life.”

Mebrahtu later s*xually assaulted a second woman who appeared intoxicated after he followed her and her friends in his car.

He approached her, offering a piggy back down some stairs. Once at the bottom, he asked her to get into his taxi, then placed his hands under her dress and s*xually assaulted her with his fingers before running off.

The second victim’s statement described the emotional damage: “My life has been impacted in a number of ways and I am undergoing therapy counselling sessions…. I am both physically and mentally exhausted.”

The court heard Mebrahtu was of previous good character. However, Judge Porter-Bryant condemned his abuse of trust, saying: “You were meant to represent a means of returning home safely. You were meant to be a protective factor, not a person young females needed to be protected from.”

Mebrahtu was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on November 4 to seven years and three months' imprisonment, plus an extended licence period of three years.

He was also made subject to s*x offender notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.

🟥 MAN WHO CLASHED WITH POLICE AND FILMED DANCERS DENIED ABERDEEN TAXI LICENCEA man convicted of assault, aggressive beha...
14/11/2025

🟥 MAN WHO CLASHED WITH POLICE AND FILMED DANCERS DENIED ABERDEEN TAXI LICENCE

A man convicted of assault, aggressive behaviour, and swearing at police and stewards in an Aberdeen strip club has been denied a taxi driver’s licence by North Ayrshire Licensing Committee.

James Murray’s application was refused on Wednesday, November 12, following an objection from Police Scotland, who confirmed he had a “live conviction” that he had failed to declare.

The incident took place on July 16, 2024, at Private Eye’s, an adult entertainment venue. Stewards were alerted that Mr Murray was filming dancers, which was against venue rules. After initially complying, he was later approached again for filming and “became aggressive and shouted: ‘I am a f***ing police officer.’”*

A Police Scotland spokesman detailed the confrontation:

▪️“He grabbed the steward by the collar and tried to take the radio off his jacket.”

▪️When police arrived, Mr Murray “refused” to step outside and was escorted out, “continually shouting and swearing, calling them "f***ing c***s and police scum.’”

▪️During his arrest, he “grabbed one of the officers by the body armour and pulled him forward, stating: ‘I will show you what resisting is’.”

Mr Murray was subsequently convicted on July 9, 2025, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, receiving fines totalling £490 plus a victim surcharge.

Police Scotland objected to the licence, stating: “We believe by reason of the above Mr Murray is not a fit and proper person to be granted a taxi driver’s licence.”

Mr Murray did not appear before the committee. Councillor Christina Larsen found this “disappointing,” and committee Chair Eleanor Collier noted it was a “relatively serious matter” and that refusing the application would “safeguard the public.”

The refusal was proposed and seconded on the grounds that he was “not a fit and proper person” to hold a taxi licence in North Ayrshire, a decision which was agreed by the committee.

⚠️SEVERE RAIN WARNING - ALL CABBIES PLEASE CHECK YOUR TYRES ⚠️ A new Yellow National Severe Weather Warning for rain has...
14/11/2025

⚠️SEVERE RAIN WARNING - ALL CABBIES PLEASE CHECK YOUR TYRES

⚠️ A new Yellow National Severe Weather Warning for rain has been issued for Friday into Saturday morning, covering much of England and Wales.

⚠️ STAY SAFE

🔲 BARROW MAN JAILED AFTER RACIALLY ABUSING TAXI DRIVER AND UNPROVOKED PUB ASSAULTA Barrow man, Joshua Hardie, has been s...
14/11/2025

🔲 BARROW MAN JAILED AFTER RACIALLY ABUSING TAXI DRIVER AND UNPROVOKED PUB ASSAULT

A Barrow man, Joshua Hardie, has been sentenced to 30 weeks in prison after admitting to racially abusing a taxi driver and an unprovoked assault on a pub worker.

Hardie, 24, pleaded guilty at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on November 10 to a Section 4a Public Order Act offence and assault by beating.

The court heard that on November 7, 2024, Hardie targeted a taxi driver of Turkish origin who refused to take a female passenger.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre stated: “The defendant took exception to this and shouted a racist term at the man.” Hardie then opened the door and told the driver, “‘You are taking her’,” and “‘I’m going to punch you in the face’.” Mr. Dacre confirmed that “Fortunately, there was not any violence.”

The assault charge related to a separate incident nearly a year later, on October 23, 2025, at The Meeting Place in Barrow. Hardie punched an off-duty staff member after first asking for the manager and saying: “‘I am going to kill him. He has ruined my life and nearly got me sent to prison’.”

Mr. Dacre reported: “The defendant punched the man in the face without any provocation,” leaving the victim “bleeding next to his eye and he sustained swelling and a graze.”

The assault placed Hardie in breach of a 36-week suspended prison sentence imposed on April 30, 2025, for a previous “violent, unprovoked attack” on the manager of the same venue, The Meeting Place. That previous attack resulted in the manager being treated with “eight stitches” and being left with permanent scarring.

Defence solicitor Michael Graham offered mitigation, saying Hardie “acknowledges and appreciates the position he is in today.” Regarding the taxi incident, Graham claimed it arose because the driver “was accusing his mother of being drunk. He overreacted because she has mobility issues.”

For the recent assault, he noted it “was one single blow after the suspended sentence was imposed. As soon as it started, it had finished.”

Magistrates activated part of the suspended sentence for 24 weeks and imposed an additional six weeks for the newest offences, leading to a total jail term of 30 weeks.

🟢 PETITION TO SAVE CUMBERLANDS TAXI TRADE TO BE DEBATED BY COUNCILLORSCumberland Council's regulatory committee is set t...
14/11/2025

🟢 PETITION TO SAVE CUMBERLANDS TAXI TRADE TO BE DEBATED BY COUNCILLORS

Cumberland Council's regulatory committee is set to consider a petition aimed at changing the council's new taxi and private hire policy.

The petition, titled "Save Cumberland’s taxi trade," was submitted via Change.org and, as of October 16, 2024, had gathered 1,449 signatures.

However, following verification, a report notes: “Following verification in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, 430 signatures were confirmed as valid."

While this number was not sufficient for a debate by the full council, it does fall "within the remit of the regulatory committee," which is scheduled to meet on Monday, November 17, 2025.

The petition raises serious concerns about the proposed regulations, stating: “Some of these regulations would put many small companies out of business and Cumberland would lose more than 200 taxis, whilst there is already a severe shortage in the area.”

It claims the council's proposed limits on vehicle numbers are inadvertently discouraging the purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

"As it stands caps are in place to help us provide more vehicles for the disability community," the petition argues, adding that the new rules make drivers "more inclined to buy a £20,000 normal taxi than a £60,000 wheelchair accessible vehicle which caused there to be fewer vehicles for the disability community."

The petitioners are calling for the council to listen to their concerns, asking: “Our main aim is that the council will listen to our concerns and support us when finally making the new taxi policies.”

The committee had previously agreed on some less stringent policy aspects in January 2025, including "a much-reduced dress code regulations than those which were originally proposed" as well as a fixed penalty scheme for breaches of vehicle licence conditions such as failure to have a valid MOT test.

Members also agreed that no more than 12 points must be accumulated for the length of the licence: three years for drivers and five years for operators.

The current recommendation for the committee members is to note the petition and the verification outcome, consider the issues raised within the petition as part of their wider policy development work, and determine an appropriate response to the petition organiser in accordance with the council’s scheme for submission of petitions.

🟦 TAXI DRIVERS IN DEVON AND CORNWALL LINKED TO 34 SEXUAL OFFENCES IN THREE YEARSA Freedom of Information (FOI) request h...
14/11/2025

🟦 TAXI DRIVERS IN DEVON AND CORNWALL LINKED TO 34 SEXUAL OFFENCES IN THREE YEARS

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has unveiled the scale of s*xual offences committed by taxi drivers across the Devon and Cornwall policing area over the past three financial years.

The data released by Devon & Cornwall Police shows the force "recorded 34 offences" between April 2022 and March 2025. This means that each month during this period, the police recorded between one and two offences.

Breaking down the figures, the FOI revealed that "Eleven of the offences related to s*xual assault of a female, with 13 relating to r**e and the remainder relating to exposure and s*xual communication."

Furthermore, the data points to a disturbing time trend, noting that: "Twelve of the total 34 offences were committed around midnight," suggesting a significant number of incidents are occurring during late-night hours.

🟣 SECOND MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO LICENSING OF TAXI AND PHVs TAKING PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBE...
14/11/2025

🟣 SECOND MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO LICENSING OF TAXI AND PHVs TAKING PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER

A very interesting line up of companies giving oral evidence!

🟣 At 9.30am:
▪️Emma O'Dwyer: Director of Public Policy at Uber
▪️Andrew Wescott: Corporate and Government Affairs Director at Veezu Ltd
▪️Kimberly Hurd : Senior General Manager for the UK and Ireland at Bolt
▪️Mark Robinson: Owner and Director at Vokes Taxis Limited

🟣 At 10:15am:
▪️Emma Vogelmann: Co-CEO and Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Transport for All
▪️James Button: Director at Institute of Licensing
▪️Saskia Garner: Head of Policy and Campaigns at Suzy Lamplugh Trust
▪️Councillor Arooj Shah: Chair of the Neighbourhoods Policy Committee at Local Government

13/11/2025

🔵 MANCHESTER HACKNEY DRIVERS DEMAND ACTION - meeting held with local MPs, Manchester Licensing, Unite the Union and David Lawrie & Sham Raja from NPHTA to discuss their growing concerns

🔵 TOGETHER OUR TRADE IS STRONGER

🟤 BIRKENHEAD CABBIE JAILED FOR SIX YEARS FOR SELLING ECSTASY AND COKE IN £100K DRUG SIDELINEA former taxi driver who use...
13/11/2025

🟤 BIRKENHEAD CABBIE JAILED FOR SIX YEARS FOR SELLING ECSTASY AND COKE IN £100K DRUG SIDELINE

A former taxi driver who used his cab as a front for a secret drug-dealing sideline - including the sale of "Donald Trump-shaped" ecstasy pills—has been jailed for six years.

Paul Duggan, 45, of Birkenhead, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after police seized Class A substances potentially worth over £100,000 from his home, including a kilo of co***ne.

The court heard that Duggan, a registered hackney cab driver, used his own personal phone number as a "graft line" to supply co***ne and ecstasy across Merseyside between March and August of this year. Police evidence showed the device "co-located with the movements" of his taxi vehicle.

Prosecutor Jonathan Keane described how messages on Duggan's phone documented "frequent transactions for ecstasy tablets and high purity co***ne." In one message to a non-paying customer, Duggan wrote: "You're taking me for a divvy, you know. Five weeks this."

Police executed a search warrant at his home on August 6, where Duggan confessed there was a "large quantity of drugs in the address."

An Aldi carrier bag recovered from a bedroom contained digital scales and 45 knotted packages of white powder and rocks.

The total seizure included 1.163kg of co***ne (valued between £41,450 and £89,850) and 1,323 M**A tablets(valued from £6,615 to £13,230), as well as £620 in cash.

Four "Donald Trump shaped pills" were found when his vehicle was searched.

John Rowan, defending, explained that Duggan had been struggling with his own addiction to Class A drugs and financial problems. He stated that Duggan regretted taking an "opportunity" to primarily bag drugs for someone else before beginning to supply users directly.

Rowan told the court: "He knows, because he has personal experience of it, the devastation and misery that Class A drugs cause... Mr Duggan then took the opportunity himself to start supplying directly to users, both co***ne and M**A."

Duggan admitted possession of co***ne and ecstasy with intent to supply and being concerned in their supply.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor Jones said: "People who involve themselves in the supply of controlled drugs can expect to go prison... certainly, when those drugs are class A drugs, they can expect significant sentences."

The Judge noted that Duggan's arrest appeared to be a "warning shot," adding: "I hope that you do, and you can put this down as a serious and very sorry aberration in your life." Duggan, who has no previous convictions, nodded as he was jailed.

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Private Hire and Taxi Monthly is the leading trade newspaper in the UK for the private hire and hackney carriage industry with a print run of 25,000 copies. The publication has been printed for 25 years and January 2019 saw the 316th successive monthly edition