Private hire driver jailed for the hit and run of vulnerable female pedestrian

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A private hire driver from Bournemouth has been jailed for 16 weeks for the hit and run of a vulnerable woman who suffers from a rare medical condition, Hypopituitarism, which means she needs an emergency steroid injection whenever she suffers any trauma. Christopher Jeffrey mowed 20 year old Alexis Richard-McAdams down on a busy road, leaving her on the ground with a broken ankle and bruising. Alexis was without her emergency injection and was only able to receive it because she called her mother who rushed home to grab it. If Alexis had been knocked unconscious she could of died. Jeffrey, 33, who was driving a silver Skoda Octavia at the time of the collision, admitted to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an incident in which a person was injured.

He was jailed for 16 weeks, and also banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115. According to a report in the Bournemouth Echo, Jeffrey only pleaded guilty at the very last minute. This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of failing to observe the law when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

June 15, 2018 at 01:32PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Live the luxe life in Mykonos: 7nts B&B from £456pp incl. flights & 4* hotel

OK Pirates, it's time to push the boat out! The island of Mykonos is fast becoming a 'must visit' destination in Greece and we're here to tell you that if you go 'off season' there are some great bargains to be had. Like, 7 nights at the Three Shades Mykonos in summer will usually set… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Mini-cab driver loses his nose in Romford violent attack

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Detectives investigating the violent assault of a mini-cab driver in Romford - who had part of his nose bitten off - have released an image of a man they would like to speak to.

Police were called at 23:54hrs on Saturday, 26 May to reports of an assault on Benskins Lane, near Church Road in Romford, Officers attended and found a 51-year-old man with serious facial injuries. He was taken to an east London hospital with life-changing injuries after a piece of his nose was bitten off.

The victim had collected the suspect as a fare on South Street, shortly before the incident and was due to take him to Noak Hill Road.

During the journey, the suspect asked to change the destination to Benskins Lane, which was further.

The victim explained this would cost more and the suspect agreed.

Upon arrival, the suspect stated he was not going to pay and that he was going to fight the victim.

The suspect assaulted the victim by repeatedly hitting him in the face before biting his nose.

Following the attack, the suspect grabbed the mini-cab’s rear facing dash cam as well as cash and documents. He then fled the scene down a footpath.

Detective Constable Gill Garrett, the investigating officer from the East Area Command Unit’s CID, said: "This was a brutal unprovoked attack that has left the victim extremely distressed and too shaken to return to work. He is still receiving medical treatment and has already undergone numerous surgical procedures.

"We have released an image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with this assault. We would urge anyone who recognises him to contact us as a matter of urgency. Any information provided to the police will be treated in confidence, or people can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.

"We are calling on the public and the media to help us find and bring the person responsible for this heinous crime to justice."

June 15, 2018 at 12:29PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lovely Limerick: 2nts from £74pp incl. hotel & flights

Pirates, grab a cheap getaway for a piratical price with 2 nights in Limerick from £74pp including 3* hotel and flights. This lively Irish town has plenty of buzz for the curious visitor, with warm hospitality and cold drinks on every corner. How to book: You are required to make payments on different booking sites… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

4* Lake Como autumn getaway 3nts from £291pp - incl. Sheraton hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Holiday like a Hollywood star with a stylish escape by Lake Como in Italy famously the summer residence of George Clooney. We found some great rates over at the luxe 4* Sheraton Lake Como set in a large park on the shores of the lake offering an outdoor pool, wellness area and… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Waymo's driverless taxi in action

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June 15, 2018 at 10:26AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Staycation: Luxe Manchester hotel stay from £43pppn - indoor pool & onsite spa

Pirates, add a little luxury to your summer with a stay at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, nicely located in central Manchester. This 5* property has an indoor pool and stunning spa on site, with facilities that include a steam room, Moroccan Rasul, sauna and Jacuzzi. We've added availability for the summer months below. The cheapest… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Loving Lisbon: 4nts Radisson Blu stay from £240pp incl. flights & hotel - winter dates from £193pp

If you have found that your big summer holiday has eaten at most of your leave from work then why not opt for a city break to get you through autumn? We have found this neat little trip to the Portuguese capital, staying in the plush Radisson Blu hotel, which is within easy reach of… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

LCDC: Is the London Knowledge in crisis?

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The Knowledge is in crisis. Student numbers are falling, Knowledge schools are closing or amalgamating. However, the problems with the KOL do not stand alone but are a symptom of wider problems in the taxi trade. If these problems are resolved, the KOL problems will largely resolve themselves. Attempting to isolate and resolve the problems specifically associated with the KOL, without reference to the wider problems, will be doomed to failure.

The London taxi trade is in crisis, possibly terminally so. Knowledge student numbers are at an unprecedented low . A quarter of existing drivers are 60 years of age or older. Less than 2% are under 30, resulting in overall driver numbers falling month on month and week on week.

Many drivers will retire or semi-retire n the near future, seriously reducing supply but many of these will not surrender their licence as it has no tradable value.

The shape of this age demographics a fairly recent phenomenon as baby boomers have reached retirement age. The result is that not even TFL themselves know the true number of working drivers and by what percentage this has fallen over recent years.

Meanwhile, the taxi fleet is reducing in size, month on month and week on week as new taxis fail to keep up with the number going out of service. Since the arrival of the new ZEC taxi this year at a cost increase of nearly 50%, only one new taxi is being added to the fleet for every 10 going out of service.

This fleet reduction should see rentals struggle to satisfy demand. This was certainly the case when the 15 year age limit was first applied and reduced the fleet. This time however, fleets are reporting that they are unable to rent all their stocks.

The corollary of this is a combination of falling driver numbers and income, plummeting student numbers, a reducing taxi fleet and unrented taxis. The only reasonable conclusion is the taxi trade is in serious decline. Unless preventative measures are taken, the taxi service could quickly become untenable as a vital part of London’s transport service.

Both the taxi trade and the GLA transport committee recognised this when they worked collectively to produce the 2014 “Future Proof” document intended to secure the trade’s future.

Unfortunately, the report’s recommendations have been largely ignored by The Mayor and TFL. All the problems identified by “Future Proof” are still relevant but the situation has worsened because no action has been taken to rectify them.

Read the rest of the article from the LCDC by clicking here

June 15, 2018 at 08:35AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Super cheap Costa brava group getaway from £93pp - 7nts hotel & flights

Ahoy pirates, grab your squad and head to Spain with this bargain holiday in Costa Brava we have come across. You will stay for a week in a great rated hotel for under £100 per person - the deal is also a great price if you wish to travel as a couple. Book this holiday… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Luxe 5* Croatia half board autumn escape 3nts from £289pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy mateys! Discover the picturesque old city of Cavtat, just a short drive down the coast from Dubrovnik. We've laid eyes on the gorgeous, Travellers' Choice awarded 5* Croatia Hotel situated in on a peninsula overlooking the Adriatic with access to 2 beaches, 2 pools and a spa. Half board is included for your stay… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lovely Lithuania: Flights to Vilnius in September from £34 return

Pirates, how about a visit to somewhere a little bit different, we have come across some super cheap flights to the fabulous Vilnius in Lithuania. There are a range of dates in September at really great prices. Offer details Direct flights Flights to Vilnius Departures from London Dates in September 2018 Hand luggage - Included… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Majorca: All inclusive 7nt holiday from £199pp incl. flights - Available from 25 UK airports

Mateys, we uncovered a seriously good bargain deal for Majorca that's going to make your jaw drop. Fleetway Travel is offering a 7-night, all inclusive holiday, including return flights to the Spanish island, starting from as little as £199 per person, based on 2 sharing. Cheapest dates are from London in October, but you can… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Get to Greece: 7nts in Oct from under £180pp incl. flights & aparthotel - 2019 dates from £229pp

Pirates, if you're able to travel off season there are so many bargains to be had - plus you avoid the crowds - always a bonus! Jet off to the gorgeous Greek island of Kefalonia this October for a week in the late summer sun, resting up at the 3* Sotris Studios. With views of… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Late summer Mexico all inclusive holiday from £634pp - 7nts 4* hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Pirates, fancy Mexico for your next holiday? We have found this gem on our package holiday finder departing in September. For this Mexico getaway you will be staying in a great rated and award winning 4* hotel right on the beach throughout your stay on an all inclusive basis. Holiday details Duration is 7 nights… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

School holidays: UK resort family break 3-4nts from £79.50pp - incl. half board & much more

Ahoy mateys! Still haven't decided what to do for the school summer holidays? Fret no more! Away Resorts are offering 3 and 4 night half board family breaks over at the popular Mill Rythe Village situated in a scenic location on the western side of Chichester Harbour. There's heaps of activities and entertainment included in… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Return flights to Hong Kong from £336 return - incl. bags

Frommer's calls Hong Kong a "feast for the senses". Upon arrival you'll be hit with many delicious smells, strange sounds and vivid colours but that's all part of the fun of this furious metropolis. Lose yourself to this fantastic city by getting super cheap flights starting from as little as £336 return. These Air China… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Wolverhampton councillor attacks taxi industry over planned protest

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Councillor Alan Bolshaw has ramped up his war of words with the licensed Wolverhampton taxi industry after cabbies announced that they would be holding a protest on June 28th.

Bolshaw branded the action as outrageous and and pointless and even went so far as to accuse the taxi drivers of talking codswallop and attempting to protect a "closed shop."

Cabbies are taking action in response to what is seen as a weak licensing regime in Wolverhampton, which has seen an incredible 6,847 per cent increase in private hire licences issued to drivers living outside of their licensing area by Wolverhampton council since 2013, as reported last April in TaxiPoint.

Councillor Bolshaw had claimed that a previous protest was about protectionism and self-interest, and has stated that current legislation allows drivers and operators to get their licence where they wish.

The PHV test in Wolverhampton costs £69 and takes a mere 20 days to complete, with a 40% failure rate.

Councillor Bolshaw has urged drivers to cancel the planned protest, which falls on the same day as Englands final World Cup group game against Belgium, and divert their anger to Westminster.

June 14, 2018 at 02:30PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Tasty Tenerife family summer holiday from £342pp - 7nts hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Ahoy pirates, are any of you still looking for a family getaway in the school summer holidays? Then you need to check out this Tenerife holiday! The holiday is for a week in the sunny Canary Islands and as well as your hotel, flights, luggage and transfers are also included in the price. Holiday details… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flying solo: Last minute Rhodes trip from £246pp - incl. 7nts aparthotel & flights

Fancy getting away from it all (and from everybody) this summer pirates? Then book a solo sojourn with our Package Finder! We're eyeing up 7 nights in Rhodes, with flights, an aparthotel, luggage, transfers and ATOL protection all included. This deal departs in late-June - don't sleep on this one pirates! For solo trips to… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT