5* Mauritius family holiday 13nts from £979pp - incl. top beach resort, flights & breakfast

Ahoy early-birds! Next up we are sending you to paradise for 2 weeks! We've clocked some great rates for a 14 night stay in Mauritius at the top-rated 5* Le Cardinal Exclusive Resort in popular Troux aux Biches, (basically coming up less than a 7 night stay!) You'll be staying right by the pristine sandy… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Try something new: Sofia for 3nts in winter from £136pp incl. 5* hotel & flights

Pirates, if you're after a magical winter break with a twist, try 3 nights in Sofia from £136pp including the 5* Holiday Inn Sofia & flights. If you go late November - early January, Sofia has some cute Christmas markets, too. Bulgaria also has the distinction of being lovely and cheap, so you can enjoy… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Chic 4* French Riviera break 4nts from £252pp - incl. Radisson Blu hotel, breakfast & flights

Ahoy mateys! Jet off to the French Riviera with a swanky stay at 4* Radisson Blu Hotel Nice offering first class amenities, private beach access and breathtaking views. Breakfast is included in this holiday, which is available throughout the season, with the cheapest dates to be found in October. Holiday details Travel duration: 4 nights… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Private Hire driver jailed for the horrific sexual assault of two young women

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Private hire driver Felix Chan, 35, has been jailed for seven years for sexual assault. Chan, who worked for PHV firm Delta in Liverpool, targeted young female passengers as his victims. The married dad-of-two even took pictures of one of his victims and a sickening video of her laying naked. Chan's first victim was a 19-year-old student who was sick in his vehicle. After demanding £70 as a soiling fee, he followed his victim into her shared accommodation and forced his hand up her skirt. The victim alerted the police but Chan claimed that his hand may of gone up her skirt when he tried to stop her from falling. Chan was not charged by the police on this occasion. The court heard that Chan wasn't charged until a second incident was brought to light this year when Chan targeted a 20-year-old woman who was said to be heavily intoxicated. Chan's second victim entered his private hire vehicle after a night out in Liverpool, and asked him to take her to a location. The victim, who was in contact with some friends on WhatsApp at the time, sent them messages telling them that Chan had started touching her and didn't know what to do. Chan demanded cash from his victim and told her because she couldn't pay he had to continue touching her. The court heard one of the victims friends phoned her worried but Chan took the phone and said she shouldn't worry because he was going to take care of her. The victim passed out which is when Chan sexually assaulted her. Prosecutor Deborah Gould said: "That was the opportunity he took to sexually assault her and take footage of her on his mobile phone" The 20-year-old victim woke up during the assault but was so afraid that she pretended to still be asleep. When Chan spoke to her she didn't respond. The court heard that she laid still crying silently with ears rolling down her face. After the attack, Chan drove his victim home, but not before stopping one more time to sexually assault her again while filming. The woman's neighbours found her later that night distraught and called the police. Chan was identified by CCTV footage and arrested at his home, where the police found his mobile phone with the footage on. Chan admitted three counts of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration. Sentencing Chan, Judge Steven Everett said:

"It looks as if to me there isn't much respect for women generally, certainly none for his wife.

"It seems he didn't regard it as unusual to go on these jaunts with other men, where there was sexual contact with other women. "I find that very depressing and very unpleasant.

"Two people have had their lives totally turned upside down by your disgusting behaviour." He jailed Chan for seven years and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

August 24, 2018 at 01:18PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Vile Private Hire Driver jailed for the horrific sexual assault of two young women

via taxi-point https://ift.tt/2wj08AS

Private hire driver Felix Chan, 35, has been jailed for seven years for sexual assault. Chan, who worked for PHV firm Delta in Liverpool, targeted young female passengers as his victims. The married dad-of-two even took pictures of one of his victims and a sickening video of her laying naked. Chan's first victim was a 19-year-old student who was sick in his vehicle. After demanding £70 as a soiling fee, he followed his victim into her shared accommodation and forced his hand up her skirt. The victim alerted the police but Chan claimed that his hand may of gone up her skirt when he tried to stop her from falling. Chan was not charged by the police on this occasion. The court heard that Chan wasn't charged until a second incident was brought to light this year when Chan targeted a 20-year-old woman who was said to be heavily intoxicated. Chan's second victim entered his private hire vehicle after a night out in Liverpool, and asked him to take her to a location. The victim, who was in contact with some friends on WhatsApp at the time, sent them messages telling them that Chan had started touching her and didn't know what to do. Chan demanded cash from his victim and told her because she couldn't pay he had to continue touching her. The court heard one of the victims friends phoned her worried but Chan took the phone and said she shouldn't worry because he was going to take care of her. The victim passed out which is when Chan sexually assaulted her. Prosecutor Deborah Gould said: "That was the opportunity he took to sexually assault her and take footage of her on his mobile phone" The 20-year-old victim woke up during the assault but was so afraid that she pretended to still be asleep. When Chan spoke to her she didn't respond. The court heard that she laid still crying silently with ears rolling down her face. After the attack, Chan drove his victim home, but not before stopping one more time to sexually assault her again while filming. The woman's neighbours found her later that night distraught and called the police. Chan was identified by CCTV footage and arrested at his home, where the police found his mobile phone with the footage on. Chan admitted three counts of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration. Sentencing Chan, Judge Steven Everett said:

"It looks as if to me there isn't much respect for women generally, certainly none for his wife.

"It seems he didn't regard it as unusual to go on these jaunts with other men, where there was sexual contact with other women. "I find that very depressing and very unpleasant.

"Two people have had their lives totally turned upside down by your disgusting behaviour." He jailed Chan for seven years and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

August 24, 2018 at 01:18PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Adults Only 4* Costa Brava half board break 5nts from £266pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy mateys! How about a chic Costa Brava holiday just for grown-ups? The Adults Only 4* Aqua Hotel Silhouette & Spa occupies a prime position a short walk from the beach and Malgrat de Mar promenade. There is a lush spa and 2 outdoor pools here and you'll have half board included in your stay.… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cab drivers may be forced to breach disability legislation as London councils impose a ban on diesel taxis

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In January of this year TaxiPoint reported that both Islington and Hackney councils would be looking to ban motorists who drive petrol or diesel vehicles from a new "Green" zone within the Shoreditch area.

It has now been revealed that the new "Green" zone will go live on 3rd September 2018, with the operational hours being Monday to Friday, 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm.

All petrol and diesel vehicles will be excluded, including licensed London taxis. The exceptions to the exclusion will be all electric and hybrid vehicles, which includes the LEVC TXE taxi.

The fine for venturing into the "Green" zone during prescribed hours will be £130.

The "Green" zone will consist of nine streets:

Tabernacle StreetPaul StreetCowper StreetBlackhall StreetRavey StreetSinger StreetWillow StreetRivington Street Charlotte Road

A similar scheme is to be launched by the City of London Corporation in April, which will reduce access to Moor Lane, again only fully electric or hybrid vehicles will be allowed access.

The course of action being taken by Islington and Hackney councils as well as the impending action from the City of London Corporation has highlighted a rather interesting and potentially serious situation for the London taxi industry.

Nobody from any of the aforementioned councils seem to have given the first thought as to how this affects legislation surrounding both hackney carriage legislation and disability discrimination legislation.

According to hackney carriage legislation, a taxi driver must, unless there is a reasonable excuse, take a customer within a twelve mile radius or one hour journey time of their pick-up point.

This is a simple enough piece of legislation, until you factor into the equation the new "Green" zone. Islington and Hackney councils now expect a customer to differentiate between a zero emission capable taxi and a diesel taxi. This is all fine and dandy until you realise that around 2% of the entire fleet are zero emission capable, and at the moment, it will take around fourteen years for every taxi to be zero emission capable.

This therefore means that a driver could potentially be prosecuted, or have his or her licence suspended or revoked if they refuse to take a customer where they wish to go to or refuse to enter the "Green" zone.

Next we come to the next major issue, the disabled community. If a driver refuses or is unable to allow a disabled customer to alight within the "Green" zone, the driver can again potentially be prosecuted. Refusing to take a disabled customer on the aforementioned grounds could also see the driver prosecuted.

What also hasn't been factored in whatsoever is the fact that a wheelchair user may need collecting from the "Green" zone. When you consider that the London taxi industry is the only fully wheelchair compliant, door to door service available to the disabled, this scenario beggars belief.

The taxi industry, as confirmed by Mayor Sadiq Khan, is part of the public transport industry and is the only door to door service.The private hire industry, by very definition is not part of the public transport industry, it is, as the name suggests, private transportaion. This therefore means that out of all of the vehicles wich could need access to the "Green" zone, London taxis should be top of that list and should as a consequence have an exemption, regardless of the type of engine the vehicle possesses.

The streets that will be restricted are fairly inconsequential, they aren't major thoroghfares, in fact some of them you would be hard-pressed to drive along, Cowper Street is a blocked turning and Ravey Street has been partially closed for what seems like years due to building work. In fact only Tabernacle Street, Paul Street and Willow Street hold any significance, with the latter being the site of a major hotel, this hotel will become inaccessible if taxis cannot drive into Willow Street.

This therefore begs the question as to why these streets are REALLY being closed. Any pollution in the area will be coming from City Road, Old Street and Great Eastern Street, none of the roads being restricted have any real weight of traffic.

Could it be that "you smoke, I choke" is being used as an excuse to perform an experiment, with a view to expanding the scheme across roads that really are a major pollution problem, but which are also main thoroughfares?

So which of the three pieces of legislation should a taxi driver break, Islington and Hackney's emissions regulation, Transport for London's Hackney Carriage Act, or the Governments Disability Discrimination Act. Whatever the answer is, this one requires the wisdom of Solomon as well as a large helping of common sense.

August 24, 2018 at 01:09PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Algarrrrve...: Luxe 5* half board escape 5nts from £379pp - 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… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Malta 5* luxury winter break 5nts from £272pp - incl. Radisson Blu hotel, flights & breakfast

Arr mateys! Escape to one of Malta's most exclusive 5-star resorts, the Travellers' Choice awarded Radisson Blu hotel this winter! Boasting a popular spa, several swimming pools and a short stroll to the beach it's the perfect luxury getaway on the small amber coloured island in the Mediterranean. This package is totally flexible, and you… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London cabbie Joe Lewis takes to the West End stage supported by the Denmark Street Big Band

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The talented Joe Lewis will take centre stage at the West End’s Charing Cross Theatre alongside the reknowned Denmark Street Big Band on Sunday 16th September.

Joe Lewis, who is also a working London cabbie, became obsessed with Big Band & Swing Jazz sounds whilst siting at his father’s knee where they would constantly listen to LPs by Sinatra, Davis Jr, Bennett & Darin. The timeless, inspirational sound of these artists became the soundtrack to Joe’s life, and his dedication and superb vocal technique have created stunning tributes to his idols.

Earlier this year, Joe met a fellow obsessive in Paul Burch, Leader of the Denmark Street Big Band. They joined forces and began a series of intimate gigs, performing classic Big Band Swing numbers. These sellout shows and ecstatic audiences marked the arrival of a major new force on the British swing scene. The Charing Cross Theatre is delighted to present the West End Premiere of Joe Lewis and the Denmark Street Big Band’s “Great American Songbook Show “. With only 265 seats available and the theatre anticipates another sellout, so make sure you are one of the few who will always be able to say: “I was there“, and book early!

For more information and to book your tickets click on the poster below!

August 24, 2018 at 10:47AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

The Bargain of Seville: 3nts from £187pp incl. 5* hotel & flights

Pirates, sample another side of Spain with 3 nights in glorious Seville from £187pp including the 5* Barcelo Sevilla Renacimiento & flights. This charming city has plenty to see, and staying in a 5* hotel lends your trip a touch of class. Holiday details Travel duration: 3 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date:… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Autumn & Xmas market dates: Trendy 4* Prague design hotel stay from £28pppn

Picturesque Prague is one of our favourite European destinations for a city break, and it's even cooler when you can stay in a trendy 4* hotel right in the beautiful Old Town. The design-led Nyx Hotel features stylish interiors provided by the hottest local artists - making it a truly unique place to stay! Wenceslas… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Grand 5* Tuscany beachfront break 3nts from £168pp - incl. flights, hotel w/spa & breakfast

Ahoy mateys! The impressive 5* Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte is located in the beautiful Tuscan coastal town of Viareggio, with its very own Michelin-starred restaurant, luxury spa and incredible rooftop with heated roof-top pool and panoramic views of both the coast and the Apuan Alps. No wonder it was featured in Vogue! Holiday details… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Teenager jailed for stealing Taxi driver's cab and false teeth during late night robbery

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Teenage thug Conner Kelly, 18, broke into the home of a taxi driver in Liverpool, stealing his false teeth before driving off and crashing his cab earlier this year.

The robbery took place late at night while the victim was at home asleep. The unnamed taxi driver was left unable to work for more than a week as his taxi was being fixed from all the damage caused by the crash, but it was the theft of his false teeth that caused him most problems, as he was left toothless for months while a new pair of dentures were being made. Judge Steven Everett said to Kelly in court:

"You had a huge effect on him [the victim]. He would have had to around for months and months without teeth in his mouth and it isn't funny, it isn't funny at all. You had a real effect on his life."According to the Liverpool Echo, Kelly had a number of previous offences including robbery, attempted robbery and battery. Judge Everett added that Kelly's record was as bad as he's ever seen for an 18-year-old. Kelly, who has a young daughter, was sentenced to two years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court and was disqualified from driving for five years and four months.During sentencing, Judge Everett said:

"If you had been thinking about your daughter on that night you would not have committed these offences. These are terrible offences."

August 23, 2018 at 10:58PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Winter sun: 5* Tenerife family half board holiday 7nts from £440pp - incl. flights & Melia resort

Ahoy mateys! Tenerife is up next with this luxurious break placing you at the top-rated 5* Melia Jardines del Teide boasting a huge pool complex and 12,000m² of tropical gardens, 3 restaurants and wonderful views over Costa Adeje and Playa del Duque Beach. We opted for a half board stay, but you also have the… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Metrocab’s Frazer-Nash to be wound up putting taxi project in jeopardy

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A winding up order has been allowed against the Metrocab manufacturer Frazer Nash over unpaid debts.

An order was made against the company last month, but it returned to court to ask for more time to pay £1,555,942 to the HMRC.

A High Court judge dismissed an appeal to give Frazer Nash more breathing space in which to raise the money to pay.

The firm was due to launch a new zero emission cab to compete with the TXe, the only other cab on the market that meets the mayor’s clean air requirements, but has been bound up in a string of complex legal battles.

The latest ruling could put the launch in jeopardy as it could now have to call in receivers, who will endeavour to see the debts are paid off by selling any assets available before bringing the business to a close.

Lawyers for the company sought a further seven-day’s breathing space to give Frazer Nash more time to pay the money owed in full. “In the light of that amount, it is taking some time to obtain funds to pay,” counsel told Chief Registrar Judge Nicholas Briggs, one of the country’s senior insolvency judges.

However, lawyers for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs successfully opposed the application.

Refusing to grant the application, Judge Briggs said the money owed was a “judgment debt” and continued: “No payment has been paid and HMRC opposes the application. The application fails.”

He added that there was no evidence that Frazer-Nash would be able to pay the debt. After the hearing, lawyers revealed outside the court that the original petition debt was £1,671,611 but that this had been reduced to £1,555,942.

In February this year Mychett, Surrey, based Frazer-Nash warded off moves at the court by Italian company, SALT S R L to wind them up.

In another case last year, which began in the High Court and later moved to the appeal court, TXe manufacturer LEVC (formerly LTC) suffered a double defeat a complex trade mark dispute with Frazer- Nash.

LEVC, took Frazer-Nash Research Ltd and Ecotive Ltd, to court over the new Metrocab. Lawyers for the company claimed that the Metrocab design infringed its trademark and amounted to “passing off.”

The company had claimed among other things that it owned the goodwill in four styles of Fairway taxis and that the new Metrocab infringed its design.

But Lord Justice Floyd said in dismissing the case in the appeal court that the new Metrocab was “strikingly different” to the LEVC taxis and found there had been no “passing off.”

August 23, 2018 at 08:30PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI LTDA THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Magical Venice in winter: 3nts from £113pp incl. 4* hotel, breakfast & flights

If you've never seen Venice, how about this deal: 3nts from £113pp including the 4* Floris Hotel, breakfast & flights. Venice is a true destination for pirates with its intricate waterways and mysterious alleys - best seen away from the crush of the tourist crowds of Summer. Holiday details Travel duration: 3 nights (longer or… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gett Joins Ex-Military Coaches in One-Day 'Big Build' Challenge at London Primary School

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Employees from black-cab booking firm Gett joined ex-military coaches and mentors from Fusion Community Initiatives to build an outdoor space for the children of Hague Primary School in Bethnal Green. Only two miles from Gett’s London office, Hague Primary School’s project build was seen as the perfect corporate responsibility scheme for Gett to participate in. Gett’s team worked collaboratively to successfully build a new outdoor play area for the children of Hague Primary School, including a covered walkway, raised planters, benches, insect house, and a mud kitchen. Gett’s UK CEO, Matteo de Renzi says “At Gett, we are continuing to give back to our community with local initiatives like the one-day build at Hague School. As a global corporation, we feel that it is our responsibility to participate in these projects. As well as a great way for the team to build internal values, we like to focus our efforts in helping the community.”

August 23, 2018 at 07:49PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lush 5* Dom Rep all inclusive break from £657pp - incl. 7nts resort, flights, bags & transfers

Pirates, get the 5* treatment you truly deserve with the dreamy Caribbean deals from our Package Finder! We've uncovered some great rates at the 5* Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar Green, and it's even cheaper with a great discount code (see below). The discount code is valid on departures in September and October - low season… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Bella Italia: Luxe 5* Cave spa stay 2nts from £165pp - incl. flights, hotel, breakfast & more

Ahoy mateys! We know you like your quirky accommodation just as much as we do, and we've just laid eyes on the gorgeous, rustic-chic 5* Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa in Italy. This cave hotel is situated in the ancient city of Matera officially an UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will have… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT