Taxi Driver Online

NORTHFLEET: Two Men Jailed After CCTV Caught Them Attacking Taxi Driver

Monday 14th September 2009

Two men caught on CCTV attacking a Northfleet taxi driver in his cab have been jailed for 18 months.

Stephen Richardson, aged 34, and 21-year-old Gavin Clark were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and affray.

A CCTV camera, one of many installed inside taxis across Gravesham after cabbie Gian Chand Bajar was murdered by passenger Luke Aujila in 2007, recorded the attack on 46-year-old Steve West.

After watching the footage of Richardson repeatedly punching, headbutting and strangling Mr West, and Clark then throwing two punches at the helpless driver, Judge Andrew Patience called them “wicked”.

He said: “You set upon him, causing him unpleasant injuries and at one stage leading him to think he might not survive.

“The CCTV in the cab was installed as the result of the murder of one of his colleagues, and thank goodness it was because you pleaded guilty as a result of the evidence.”

The assault took place outside The Crown in Perry Street, Northfleet, at around 10.30pm on April 24.

Richardson, of Greenhill Road, Gravesend, was drinking outside the pub with a group of friends including his younger brother, Bill, the court heard.

Mr West was driving along Perry Street when Bill Richardson suddenly stumbled into the road in front of the cab and was knocked to the ground.

As Mr West called for an ambulance from the driver’s seat, Stephen Richardson lunged at him through the passenger door.

Richardson repeatedly punched Mr West before grabbing him by the throat and headbutting him in the nose, as a group of people including two women tried to restrain him.

While this was taking place, Clark, of Snelling Avenue, Northfleet, came out of the pub and joined in the attack.

Timothy Banks, mitigating, said Clark was drunk at the time and “there was no reason” why he assaulted the helpless driver.

After the attack, Mr West was found on the ground, covered in blood, with a footprint on the back of his head. The assault left him with black eyes and cuts and bruises.

In court, prosecutor Andrew Espley read out a statement Mr West had made to the police in which he described the terrifying ordeal.

He said: “I thought I was going to die. I was thinking of my children, because I thought I was going to die.”

The conviction of Richardson and Clark was the first secured using footage from CCTV cameras installed after the murder of 71-year-old grandfather Mr Bajar.

United Taxi Group, which represents cabbies in Gravesham, spearheaded the CCTV scheme.

Chairman Terry James said: “We hope these convictions send a message to anyone who is thinking of attacking a taxi driver.”

Source; ThisIsLocalLondon.co.uk

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
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When debating on the TDO Forum.

Maybe it should be 'good practise' that every vehicle specifically made for the trade i.e. TX range, TW200, E7 and the like, should automatically have CCTV fitted.

Instead of folks having to buy and install their own.

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IDFIMH

the tw200 has the option to have fitted the cygcam twin cctv system as a option> but i do think it should be a cof for all cabs in all towns/citys as standard

Unfortunately it is a sign of the times in which we live that drivers want an extra level of protection while out working.

There is no doubt that having the correct CCTV installed does act as a deterrent and as shown at the start of this thread, will work in court to help convict anyone attacking a driver.

In an ideal world, every driver would have the chance to have CCTV installed within their vehicle, either being fitted at the factory, or through an authorised installer.

But just to remember, in most cases, having CCTV within a licensed vehicle must comply with licensing conditions so it is worthwhile checking out what restrictions your local authority imposes.

The systems normally must meet all data protection standards and must be configured in such a way as to have the travelling public reassured over their privacy. The main hurdle for drivers is finding a suitable system for their area which meets all these criteria and of suitable quality to be used in a court of law.

One such suitable system is one I have spoke about on here previously in the equipment section, the VerifEye TaxiCam. Thankfully the driver attacked in Northfleet secured a conviction against his attackers, but these systems only became mandatory in their area after another driver was tragically killed in 2007. Will it take more horrific events in other parts of the country before local authorities take note of driver’s fears?

Some information can be found on our website and our contact details are also there for anyone who would like more details. I only deal with a part of the country but would be more than willing to pass details on to your local agents who would have better local knowledge of your area and the licensing restrictions regarding CCTV.

One point to note, a hard drive based system offered on certain vehicles, might not comply in all areas. For example, in hackney spec vehicles it is common for local authorities (and drivers alike) now to ask for passengers in forward facing seats to be covered, rear facing seats to be covered, and driver compartment to be covered, also to include audio features with 7 days rolling recording which certain 2 camera systems cannot achieve.



I’m lead to believe that Southampton have now taken the decision to fully equip their fleet with CCTV as part of licensing conditions and I know other areas are looking at the matter.

There is no doubt in my mind that suitable implementation of the correct system saves lives.

Andy

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http://www.lothiantaxiservices.co.uk
Suppliers of:
Rem Taximeters
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Taxi Accessories

I don't want it personally, I think it's a good idea in one respect, but a camera also says to me *I don't trust you scumbag* and that's not really what you want to convey to the 90% of ppl you pick up who just want to play the game, I feel bad asking for cash upfront tbh, it's a nessesary evil on trips going out of city though these days, plus there's the guy or lass whose having an away game who might think twice about getting in anyway.

I know someone who has just had a very nice system fitted to a new TW200, and it works very well. Is £650 a lot to pay?

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IDFIMH

I think they say *you are safe in this motor, and I wont overcharge you, take you for a longer ride than need be or be iffy to you*.

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IDFIMH

That as well, I just think it's sad that life has degraded down so low that you face a camera 90% of the day when out now.

I dont want it INSIDE, i want it looking front and rear and recording the pillocks actions who i have to spend time avoiding all day...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

If I had the dosh I'd get one in an instant. Sadly, unless our LA subsidises purchase and installation, it ain't going to happen.

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Trying to eat anything larger than your own head in one go may prove unwise.