A local taxi driver may have key evidence in a robbery case, police said.

The appeal to identify the mystery driver comes after a woman in her 20s was mugged near Wilko Superstore on Dickson Road in the town centre at 1am on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

The woman, who had just withdrawn cash from a nearby ATM, was punched in the chest, and had the money snatched from her pocket.

Police later arrested a 32 year old man and a 25 year old woman on suspicion of robbery and assault, but both were released under investigation.

After the attack, the woman approached a nearby taxi driver, who offered to take her home free of charge.

Officers have not yet managed to trace the taxi driver, despite having contacted several local firms.

They are now appealing for them to come forward, as they "may hold vital information to our investigation".

Anyone with information should email 8325@lancashire.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting log number 1105 of 5th April.

A 25 year old woman from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries. A 32 year old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault and has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Source: https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/crime/police-think-taxi-driver-could-be-key-witness-after-dickson-road-robbery-1-9987318

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a “kind and loving” taxi driver who died unexpectedly from sepsis.

Mick Rolfe had been self-employed as a taxi driver in Colchester for more than ten years and also did the school run for Kingswode Hoe pupils.

He fell ill on August 7 after playing golf and was sent to hospital that evening with pancreatitis.

It quickly progressed to sepsis and two days later he was put into an induced coma. He died on August 30, aged 58.

Mick joined the Merchant Navy after leaving school and served for about five years.

He then made pizzas at the former Pizzaland in Colchester High Street.

Mick has a son, Jordan, and daughter, Rohanna.

His children said: “He was a kind and loving father. He loved his hobby of playing golf but also enjoyed watching us take part in our hobbies. He always encouraged us to do our best but never put us under any pressure, he just wanted us to be happy in whatever we were doing.”

Mick was also a huge supporter of the Wolverhampton Wanderers and loved being with his friends.

His friend Ian Perkins said: “We were friends as boys, I was 11 when we met. He loved to got out, as did I, so we went clubbing a lot. He always seemed to know everyone. He was such a warm, generous man.”

His nieces and nephews described him as being “so much fun” and said Mick would do anything for them.

They said: “He would do anything he could to help us out, including running us and our friends around in his taxi at all hours.”

His mum Irene, known as Nanny Jock, added: “Miss you so much my darling, love you loads. Rest in peace my darling son.”

Mick married his wife, Janice, in April last year. She said: “My husband was my one and only soulmate, he made me feel very loved.

“He was a happy man who loved life. The pain of losing him feels like my heart has been broken. I feel blessed to have been his wife.”

The family thanked staff at the critical care unit at Colchester Hospital for their care and support.

They also thanked everyone for their contributions to the fundraising page for his funeral.

His funeral will be held at Colchester Crematorium on September 27, at 1.15pm. A private burial will follow.

A charity golf day is being held in his name on October 18 at The Essex Golf and Country Club in Earls Colne. The event starts at 8.30am with tee off from 9.40am. Entry is £30 for non-club members or £15 for members. To find out more contact the club on 01787 224466.

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/rip-mick-rolfe-funeral-fund.

Source: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17890508.tributes-paid-39-kind-loving-39-taxi-driver/

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COUNCILLORS have agreed to look at the idea of licensing electric three-wheeled bike in the same way as taxi cabs.

The move comes after Keswick-based Amy’s Care asked about charging people to use their proposed trishaw taxi service to provide vital extra income for the charity.

The organisation, which helps elderly people, has already trialled their use around Keswick free of charge.

However, the electrically-assisted tricycles would be classed as ‘hackney carriages’ when used commercially and would therefore have to be licensed.

Concerns were also raised by several Allerdale councillors that allowing one operator to set up shop in the town would open the “floodgates” for multiple companies to do the same.

They also expressed fears over road safety and congestion but agreed to vote the plans through to the next stage, which will see the launch of a public consultation.

Keswick councillor Allan Daniels said he was “very happy” for the bikes to operate in the park but did not feel they would be appropriate for the “crowded” roads of the popular tourist town.

Rebecca Dooley, director of Amy’s Care, told a licensing panel meeting that the idea had been set up initially to help isolated elderly people experience the “wind in in their hair, rather than being stuck inside”.

However, the charity now hopes to offer rides around the town to tourists for a fee that would help provide a cash boost for its charity’s work.

Under the plans, Amy’s Care would continue to provide a free trishaw service to locals experiencing difficulties getting to medical appointments, to the shops or banks. Mrs Dooley told the meeting that there are no wheelchair taxis in Keswick.

The meeting heard conditions for hackney carriage licenses were not tailored towards this type of vehicle and that alternatives would have to be put in place.

Before the idea can be rolled out, councillors would need to decide which rules and conditions should be attached following a full public consultation.

Founded in 2013, Amy’s Care provides day care, social clubs and holidays for elderly people in north Cumbria, especially those suffering from dementia.

The charity operates two days a week out of the Keswick Museum, catering for up to 13 people.

It has already used grant-funding to buy two trishaws, which have been imported from Denmark and are new to northern England. One can carry two passengers and the other can accommodate a wheelchair.

Source: https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/17898117.taxi-trikes-trigger-licensing-debate/

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A private hire taxi driver who used a fake blue badge to park in Croydon has been fined hundreds of pounds.

Josh Elvin used a fake badge to avoid paying to park his black Toyota Auris on Derby Road and Leighton Street in January 2019.

Croydon Council officers spotted the badge and recognised tell-tale signs that it was counterfeit.

In interview, the taxi driver claimed the badge belonged to a friend but was unable to provide their name.

The 29-year-old of Vanguard Close admitted two counts of fraud when he appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ court on Tuesday (September 10) and was ordered to pay fines totalling £750, costs of £450 and a £35 court surcharge.

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “Blue badges offer a lifeline to people who would otherwise struggle to access community facilities and this driver was selfishly and fraudulently occupying spaces he had no right to.

“We are committed to supporting our vulnerable residents, and stopping fraudsters from taking parking spaces from those genuinely in need is one way to help them.”

Source: https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/croydon-taxi-driver-caught-using-16905085

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