Posted on the 22nd August 2025 in PHTM News

CARLISLE CABBIE'S ILLEGAL ACT OF KINDNESS LANDS HIM IN COURT

A 75-year-old Carlisle private hire driver, Barry Haden, was taken to court and charged with breaching licensing rules after he used his personal car to transport an autistic student to college.

Haden, who did not charge the family for the journeys, explained he did it to avoid letting the student and his family down after his licensed taxi broke down.

The incident came to light after a "tip off" from a competitor. While Haden normally transported the student in his licensed vehicle, an electrical fault in his taxi forced him to use his own Honda car on five occasions.

At Carlisle’s Rickergate court, prosecutor Jonathan Farnworth explained that Haden's decision to use his personal vehicle, which was not appropriately licensed for private hire by Cumberland Council, was a breach of regulations "even though the pensioner did not charge the family."

Farnworth stated that the licensing rules are in place to ensure "legal safeguards and standards are met."

A powerful character reference was provided by the student's father, who sat beside Haden in court. The father described how Haden had a strong relationship with his son, who has complex learning needs.

The father told magistrates that his son "did not like to be transported by any other driver," and that Haden, "even after a close bereavement, had insisted on taking his son to college."

The father concluded: "That shows the quality of the man you have here," adding that it would be devastating for his son if Haden could not continue to transport him to college.

Haden pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates acknowledged his good character and imposed a three-month conditional discharge, meaning he will not be punished as long as he stays out of trouble during that period.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £74 and a surcharge of £26.


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