Minicab killer's sentenced to six years in jail

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Two men who chased and beat a private hire driver moments before he crashed to his death have been sentenced to six years in jail. Both attackers denied the charges of manslaughter but we're found guilty during a trial at Stafford Crown Court. Brandon Dowen, 19, and John Cox, 32, chased Ishfaq Hussain, 51, after Cox's girlfriend had accused him of trying to "chat her up", when all he was doing was asking for directions. Following a chase through Telford which reached speeds in excess of 60mph, Cox kicked a punch Hussain several times while Dowen vandalised his Red Skoda.

(Dowen, left, Cox, right) Moments after the attack, Hussain, who suffered from a heart condition, crashed into a tree and died at the scene. Hussain had a passenger in his vehicle at the time of the crash who was also injured but later recovered in hospital. Dowen, 19, of Telford, and Cox, 32, of Wolverhampton, were both detained and will now serve out a six year jail term each.

July 27, 2018 at 10:59AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Algarrrrve...: Luxe 5* half board escape 5nts from £371pp - incl. wellness hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Treat yourself to a relaxing luxury getaway to the Algarve this autumn with a stay at the top-rated 5* Vidamar Resort right by Salgados Beach with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Boasting several outdoor pools, a lush spa and no less than 4 restaurants along with a coffee bar and the Gin… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Italy family beach holiday 7nts from £335pp - incl. 4* hotel & flights

Discover the heel of Italy in the very south of the country, home to gorgeous beaches with crystal clear water including the so called Maldives of Italy, Pescoluse beach. And let's not forget the delicious cuisine! We've spotted this all inclusive holiday (suitable for families or couples) at the 4* Relais Masseria Le Cesine… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Top Turkey getaway from £369pp - 7nts 5* DoubleTree Hilton hotel, breakfast & flights

Ahoy pirates, fancy a luxury holiday to Turkey this October, we have just the getaway that we found on our holiday finder. You will stay in the 5* DoubleTree by Hilton with breakfast included each morning - upgrade to half board at time of booking if you wish. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gloucestershire County Council apologises to Taxi drivers after wrongly issuing warning letters

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Gloucestershire County Council has had to apologised to taxi drivers in the area, after wrongly issuing them with warning letters for using a bus lane.

The cabbies, who are allowed to use the bus lanes in Cheltenham, have been issued the letters by APCOA after there was confusion over their exemption.

The taxi drivers were warned that if they entered the bus lanes again they would be fined £60.

It is believed, according to Graham Foley, owner of Dial-a-cab, who spoke to Gloucestershire Live, there could be as many as 1000 letters wrongly issued.

Criticism was aimed at Gloucestershire County Council over the cost of issuing the letters coning out of the taxoayers purse.

Gloucestershire County Council have issued a full apology, and reassured taxi drivers that the mistake will not occur again.

July 27, 2018 at 07:33AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Victory for anti-CS11 campaigners as judge approves injunction against work starting and grants judicial review

The Mess That Would Be ‘Swiss Cottage’

A High Court judge has passed Westminster City Council’s bid for an injunction and judicial review into CS11, but said he was "exasperated" by both sides.

In a two-and-a-half-hour hearing this morning, Mr Justice Holgate heard Westminster City Council believed Transport for London (TfL) hadn’t properly modelled traffic for parts of the route, including through St John’s Wood.

Tristan Jones, acting for the borough, also alleged TfL hadn’t properly shared documents with Westminster City Council.

But this was rebuffed by TfL, which said it had shared the same information for the plans with consultants from the council as it had on the Oxford Street pestrianisation plans.

The High Court also heard the transport body hadn’t shown why the Swiss Cottage gyratory work and work on the 100 Avenue Road plans needed to take place simultaneously. Mr Jones said: "There has been no explanation why they most be done at the same time."

Andrew Parkinson, who was assisting the claimant, raised campaigners’ concerns that the gyratory section would increase traffic elsewhere in the route.

Meanwhile Timothy Straker QC, representing TfL, said the council’s "sudden" withdrawal was "politically motivated." He alleged that Westminster’s backing of the plans was dropped after May’s local elections.

The Conservative-run authority jettisoned support for the Oxford Street works at around the same time.

As TfL officers ferried information to him from the back of the court, he said: "If you look at Camden’s response to the consultation, they say they welcome the scheme because Swiss Cottage is so awful."

Throughout the hearing, Mr Justice Holgate aired his frustrations. 

At one point he accused Mr Straker of "grandstanding" over the accusation Westminster City Council’s actions were politically motivated.

He also said one authority taking the other to court was "like nothing I’ve seen before".

"Why is the court being troubled by this?" he said.

He urged the two parties to have informal mediation talks, and said they should be working together to agree the scheme.

The approval means work beginning on July 30 is delayed, and a full judicial review hearing will take place on September 6.

It is expected to last one day.

Following the hearing, campaigner Jessica Learmond-Criqui told the Ham&High: "We are obviously delighted that the judge expressly acknowledged and recognised the concerns of residents about ran running and traffic displacement into Hampstead and St John’s Wood.

"We were very ably assisted by the brilliant planning barrister Andrew Parkinson and couldn’t have done it without him.

"TfL will not be able to start work before the final decision of the judicial review full hearing."

She added: "The judge also mentioned there is a real prospect of an error of law in TfL’s decision [in March to begin work on Swiss Cottage]."

Ben Plowden, TfL’s director of strategy and network development, said CS11 was "a vitally important addition to London’s cycle network" and that work at Swiss Cottage would "make it a better place to live and work while reducing road danger for pedestrians and cyclists".

Of the hearing result, he said only: "Construction was due to begin on July 30. This will now be delayed pending the outcome of a judicial review."

Westminster’s environment chief, the rather more jubilant Cllr Tim Mitchell, said: "We are pleased with the High Court’s decision today which supports the council and residents’ right to be heard on CS11.

"We are worried that CS11 will cause traffic displacement, increase congestion and lead to poorer air quality.

"We are glad that the court has granted our injunction to stop works at Swiss Cottage until the very legitimate concerns with this scheme are addressed via a judicial review."

And he insisted: "Westminster City Council fully supports safe cycling and we are making major investments for cyclists within Westminster."

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Winter sun in Jamaica: All inclusive break from £679pp - incl. 7nts resort, flights & transfers

Pirates, book early and you can escape to a sun-blessed Caribbean beach this autumn! Our Package Finder is offering 7 nights at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean resort, staying on an all inclusive basis. Flights, transfers, luggage and ATOL protection are also included with this package. There are limited departures at this price in November.… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Spring into NYC in 2019: 4nts in historic Roosevelt Hotel & flights from £465pp - solo from £665

New York is calling your name in 2019 Pirates and we couldn't be more excited to bring you this 4 night getaway that we have discovered on our Holiday Finder. Stay a stone's throw from Grand Central station, as well as many of Manhattan's top sites, at the historic Roosavelt Hotel. Go with a mate… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Absolute beachfront in Devon: 3nt weekend beach hut stay from £127pp - Hot Tub hut from £184pp

Devon is fast becoming the romance capital of the UK so why not treat your loved one to a weekend break in some of the cutest beach huts we've seen in a while. A 3-night stay, RIGHT on the beach at Ilfracombe, at the end of September (when the weather should still be warmish) starts… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cool minibreak: 3nts in Berlin incl. 5* hotel from £162pp *Xmas market dates available*

Pirates, there's no cooler city than Berlin, which welcomes travellers of all kinds with open arms. Check out this bargain minibreak - 3 nights in a 5* hotel from £162pp including the 5* Hotel Bristol Berlin & flights. Pick dates to visit the Christmas markets in December, or just enjoy the city and its gazillion… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flights to St Louis from Dublin & London from £259 return

Pirates, if you fancy heading to St Louis in the USA, check out these cool flights we have found at a really awesome price with just 1 stop. The flights to St Louis depart in October and September and there is a choice of dates to choose from. Flight details Flights to St Louis, Missouri… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Solo Southeast Asia: 12nts in Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand from £717 - incl. all hotels & flights

Sample some of the most delicious food, best beaches and breathtaking temples on earth with this solo trip to Southeast Asia! With open-jaw flights you'll maximise your time: You'll fly into Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and out from Bangkok, Thailand, with further stops in Siem Reap, Cambodia (home of Angkor Wat) and Phuket, Thailand.… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ciao Italia: Flights to Venice, Milan or Rome from £18 return

Get those seat belts buckled and those tray tables up Pirates because we have discovered these incredibly cheap flights, where you can fly to Italy and still have change from a £20 note! Flying from a number of UK airports, there are so many incredible places to discover in Italy that we've only been able… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Seek out Sardinia: 7nts in autumn from £148pp incl. hotel & flights

Pirates, seek out true relaxation on the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia: 7nights from £148pp including the Le Fontane Residence & flights. Near the coast and with a pool on-site, you can enjoy this stunning location at a decent price for an autumn holiday. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible)… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Majorca holiday from £266pp - 4nts hotel, flights, luggage & transfers (7nts £356pp)

Pirates, there's only one thing better than a holiday in Majorca - a holiday in Majorca on an all inclusive board basis. This deal is with Thomas Cook and as you are all inclusive you will receive all meals, snacks and drinks included in the price. You will stay in a great rated hotel for… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Under the Greek sun: 4* Crete all inclusive family break 5nts from £375pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy mateys! We've spotted some great rates over at the stylish, top-rated 4* Agapi Beach in popular Amoudara in Crete boasting a gorgeous beachfront along with 3 fresh-water pools, plenty of children’s facilities and a variety of dining options to name just a few of the highlights! October is a great time to go… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

“Seedy” London Uber driver jailed for seven months for sexual assault on passenger

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A “seedy” Uber driver who took a passenger on a detour and ran his hand up her thigh was sentenced to jail for seven months.

Dorin Visanu, 30, molested the woman after picking her up in Clapham, late in the evening of September 2.

She ordered the UberPool to take her home to Shoreditch, and jumped in the front passenger seat when Visanu pulled up.

Prosecutor Grace Ong said “within a minute of getting into the cab Mr Visanu asked her inappropriate questions,” grilling the woman about whether she was single or living with a boyfriend.

“These questions made her feel uncomfortable,” she said, adding that the driver laughed and asked her out despite being told she “wasn’t interested.”

“At this stage he had already touched her on numerous occasions on the thigh area,” said Ms Ong.

The woman told jurors she tried “ignoring him” but still felt “really uncomfortable” during the journey.

“At that stage it was the inappropriate questions,” she explained.

“It was the way he was talking, it was a bit seedy.”

But she said the ride took an ominous turn once Visanu dropped two other fares off in Shoreditch High Street.

“I didn’t live too far away, it was one straight road to my house and one right turn,” the woman said, giving evidence from behind screens.

“Rather than going that way, the driver turned right and started taking me down all these backstreets and roads I had never seen before.

“I didn’t know where I was.”

She said she “panicked” at having to ask why Visanu was lingering at a set of traffic lights after they had turned green.

Visanu replied: “Oh, I thought you were asleep.”

Ms Ong suggested Visanu had been looking for “a quiet spot off the main road” to sexually assault her.

“That’s when I really started to worry, because he wasn’t even looking at the road, he was looking at me,” the complainant continued.

“After the lights had changed and he drove off, while he was changing gear he leaned over to brush my leg.

“I had this dress on that he also pulled on to brush the top of my thigh.’

An Old Bailey jury took just took two hours to convict the married driver of sexual assault.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC said: ‘This is a substantial breach of trust and for someone to do this as a cab driver is appalling.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she had felt “very paranoid” since the assault and didn’t want to leave her flat.

Visanu was arrested two-and-a-half weeks after the incident and gave a prepared statement in interview claiming that he chats to all passengers but means nothing by it. He also insisted that any touching was “absolutely accidental.”

Giving evidence, the driver admitted that his initial claims that the “drunk” woman had been “smashing things” in the car were a pack of lies in response to the woman’s complaint to Uber.

Visanu said he was “scared” about losing his job.

Visanu, of Harlow, Essex, was sentenced for seven months for one count of sexual assault today.

July 26, 2018 at 04:23PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Police appeal for London taxi driver who left man unconscious on the street

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The City of London Police is looking for witnesses of an incident which left a man lying unconscious in the street.

On the morning of 16 May 2018, a man was pulled from a taxi on Fenchurch Place by the driver. He hit his head as he was dragged by his feet from the vehicle and was left injured in the middle of the road as the taxi drove away.The man was found 15 minutes later by an off-duty police officer and the taxi reappeared shortly after. The driver spoke to the officer but at no point identified that the victim had been in his vehicle. The London Ambulance Service were called and the man was taken to hospital.

Officers have taken a number of steps to identify the taxi driver since the incident and are now calling on the public to help and provide any more information on what happened.

PC Christopher Hook, from the City of London Police, said: “We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident in May. To forcibly move a vulnerable person from your taxi and to leave them lying in the middle of the road is appalling and we need to find the man that did this.

“If you have any information on this incident, please call us on 0207 601 2222 and quote the reference number 2403".

(Images: City of London Police)

July 26, 2018 at 04:06PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Mexico beachfront getaway from £683pp incl. flights, hotel, transfers & bags

Thanks to a £100 off code we have discovered, you can enjoy this bargain trip to Mexico this springtime. Live the 5* lifestyle for 7 nights, in the September sunshine. The Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya offers beachfront living along with an all inclusive board that can be enjoyed at 10 on site restaurants! So what… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ballin' in the Bellagio from £589pp: 4nt luxury Las Vegas with direct flights & iconic 5* hotel

Live it up in Vegas with a 5* break at the iconic Bellagio hotel, with direct flights from London, from as little as £589 per person, based on 2 sharing. This winter break is a bargain because the Bellagio is one of the few hotels in Las Vegas with a pool open year-round, and at… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT