A company director brandished a loaded shotgun at a taxi driver and loaded it three times before threatening to kill him, a court heard.

Businessman James Willmott, 37, allegedly cocked the 4ft weapon in the direction of the driver after being dropped back at his country home following a night out in Cardiff city centre.

Cardiff Crown Court heard taxi driver Hanifur Rehman thought he was “finished” and believed he was going to be shot dead by the boss of the accident claims company.

The driver had picked up Willmott, director of All Claims Management, and his five friends from Cardiff city centre to drive them back to the businessman’s large countryside home around 2am on December 23 last year.

But Willmott allegedly told the driver “I’ve got a gun inside the house” after disputing the agreed £40 fare and accused him of trespassing on his property.

Prosecutor Emma Harris said: “There was a disagreement about the cost of the journey.

“Willmott became a bit aggressive and Mr Rehman became worried about his behaviour and moved his taxi a little down the driveway.

“Willmott said: ‘Why are you coming inside my house?’. He then said: ‘I’ve got a gun inside my house’ and disappeared inside.”

Mr Rehman – a taxi driver for 12 years – said he thought the businessman was joking about the weapon but made a 999 call to police as a precaution.

But he told the court through an interpreter he thought he was “finished” when Willmott returned carrying a long black hunting shotgun.

Mr Rehman said: “While I was still talking to the police he came with a gun in his hands.

“He raised his hand and said: ‘I told you. This is the gun’.

“He lifted the gun and loaded it three times and it made a clicking sound.

“I was thinking this is the end of me. I’m going to be finished today.”

Mr Rehman said a male friend pulled Willmott away before he eventually paid the £40 cab fare.

He said Willmott told him before he drove off “If you come here again I’ll kill you” and warned him: “I’ve got five more guns like this one”.

Armed police swooped on Willmott’s home at Warren Farm in Pendoylan, near Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan , after Mr Rehman continued his phone call with police.

PC David Watkins said he was told by police control Willmott lived at the address and held a firearms licence and performed an “armed containment” of the property before demanding he come out.

He said: “Willmott and a female came out of the front of the property towards us. I directed him towards me and I handcuffed him and took him away from the front of the premises.

“Initially there was a reluctance to tell me where his gun cabinet was and where the key was. There was toing and froing.”

Inside the house police found “several weapons” with some stored in a safe gun cabinet and one resting against his wardrobe.

Source: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/company-boss-waved-4ft-shotgun-14917442

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Engine maker Rolls-Royce has designed a propulsion system for a flying taxi which it says could take to the skies as soon as early next decade.

The British firm said it had drawn up plans for an "electric vertical take-off and landing" (EVTOL) vehicle, which could carry four to five people.

The vehicle could travel at speeds of up to 250 mph (402 km/h) for approximately 500 miles, it said.

Rolls joins a variety of other firms in seeking to develop flying vehicles.

Speaking ahead of this week's Farnborough Airshow, Rob Watson, head of the company's electrical team, said: "We are well placed to play a leading role in the emerging world of personal air mobility and will also look to work in collaboration with a range of partners."

Flying vehicles have long been the stuff of science fiction, but aviation and technology companies are now working to make them a reality.

Airbus, US ride-sharing firm Uber and a range of start-ups including one backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, called Kitty Hawk, have all announced projects.

Rolls said the initial concept for EVTOL used gas turbine technology to generate electricity to power six electric propulsors, specially designed to have a low noise profile.

Its wings would be able to rotate 90 degrees, enabling the vehicle to take off or land vertically. It could also use existing heliports and airports.

"We believe that given the work we are doing today to develop hybrid electric propulsion capabilities, this model could be available by the early to mid 2020s, provided that a viable commercial model for its introduction can be created," the firm said.

The company, which will disclose more details at Farnborough, said it was looking for an airframe maker and a partner to provide aspects of the electrical system.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44840953

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A taxi driver who was stabbed in Milton Keynes on Friday morning remains in intensive care today following emergency surgery.

Thames Valley Police have confirmed that at 1am on Friday, a taxi driver arrived in Pinder’s Croft, Greenleys, Milton Keynes to pick up a customer.

He was driving a white Toyota Auris and when he arrived in Pinder’s Croft, three or four white men got into his taxi.

The victim was then hit to the left side of the face with a metal bar. The males then got out of the taxi and smashed the driver’s side and passenger’s side windows.

They have then stabbed the victim and stolen money. The offenders then made of after unsuccessfully trying to steal the taxi driver’s car.

The offenders are described as white and wearing grey or blue hoodies.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Wayne Watson, of Force CID based at Milton Keynes, said: “This was a totally unprovoked attack on an innocent person, trying to earn a living."

“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anything to contact police on 101 quoting reference 56 13/7/18 or anonymously via crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.”

It is reported that local residents were also asked by officers if they had any CCTV which may cover the incident area.

The news comes in the same week that a pregnant woman was 'punched in the stomach' in the Netherfield area.

Source: https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/taxi-driver-stabbed-in-milton-keynes-currently-in-intensive-care

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Taxi drivers are refusing to drive down a notorious road in the city because they're being attacked, it has been claimed.

Paul Bradley, former vice chairman of the Cambridge Hackney & Private Hire Association, says some drivers don't drive customers beyond the level crossing in Fen Road "out of fear".

As long ago as January Cambridgeshire Live started reporting on problems facing residents when John Grefe recounted a catalogue of issues that had plagued the area.

These included motorists mounting pavements, driving at cyclists, racing cars, a rocket fired from the back of a car at cyclists and objects - including dead animals - thrown at people.

'It can be a bit scary'

Mr Bradley said: "Quite a few drivers have been attacked down there, so some drivers have chosen to stop at the level crossing.

"I don't drive taxis anymore. I didn't have problems so I'd go down there, but I did nearly have trouble myself.

"Cars have been damaged. There will be racing down there and they won't move out of the way. It can be a bit scary for some.

"The fact that it's a dead end as well puts people off."

'Get out of my car'

Passengers have reported being unable to get a taxi service to drop them off at home.

One man, who chose not to be named, told Cambridgeshire Live that when he lived down Fen Road, he had been told to get out of the taxi.

"I told the taxi driver to drop me off beyond the level crossing, but he said no," he said.

"I asked him why, he said it was dangerous. I told him I wasn't paying him any money if he didn't drop me to my home.

"He told me to get out of his taxi. It's happened on more than one occasion."

What's happening with Fen Road?

Police vowed to 'follow up every call' from residents on the road in May.

Inspector Paul Rogerson wrote an open letter to the under-fire families who have suffered a litany of dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour.

He had vowed detectives will contact crime victims, follow up with every call, continue increased patrols in the area and arrange drop-in sessions with residents.

The operation came after about 100 Fen Road and East Chesterton residents aired their fury over a crimewave during a public meeting with police on May 8.

Cambridgeshire Police and Panther Taxis have been contacted for a comment.

Source: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/taxi-drivers-cambridge-fen-road-14906160

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Police have arrested a man after two attempted armed robberies in Kirkdale.

At 2am a taxi driver phoned police after a man approached him on Barlow Lane with a weapon demanding cash.

While officers were speaking to the taxi driver, police were called by a takeaway on Westminster Road to reports a man had stormed into the takeaway waving a plastic handgun and demanding cash.

The staff refused and the man ran off, with police believing this incident took place before the taxi driver was threatened.

Armed officers arrested a man on Brewster Street.

The 33-year-old from Vauxhall was arrested on suspicion of robbery of a person and robbery of a business and has been taken to a police station for questioning by detectives.

A police-style baton was found discarded in an nearby area of wasteland and a further search is ongoing at the scene this morning. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 18200146002, or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Source: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/taxi-takeaway-police-arrest-kirkdale-14903641

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