Posted on the 5th November 2025 in PHTM News
SUNDERLAND LOUT GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE AFTER ATTACKING UBER DRIVER IN SICKNESS ROW
A drunken Sunderland man who attacked an Uber driver after being asked to leave the car due to concerns about his partner being sick has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Scott Hamilton, 36, punched the driver, smashed a car window, and ripped off the rear-view mirror following a night out on May 20, 2023.
The court heard that Hamilton and his partner were being driven home when the driver noticed Hamilton's partner "retching" in the back seat.
Cainan Lonsdale, prosecuting, said the driver stopped the car when they were driving over the Wearmouth Bridge to check if she was going to be sick, mentioning the potential "soiling charge" of £80.
When Hamilton became aggressive, the driver immediately cancelled the journey and asked the couple to exit the vehicle. Matters then "escalated".
Mr. Lonsdale told the court that Hamilton then “punched the victim several times in the face and they left the vehicle.
The defendant then threw an air freshener can which hit the victim above the eye, causing injury. He was then hit again to the back of the head.”
Hamilton then caused further damage by smashing the driver’s side window.
Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, November 3, Hamilton, of Houghton-le-Spring, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
In a victim statement, the driver revealed he sustained injuries to his head and lost around £3,000 in earnings due to the time he needed to take off work and the damage caused to his vehicle.
He added that he now feels anxious when picking up customers.
Jane Foley, defending, argued that Hamilton, who works as an electrician and is a father-of-two, “accepts his behaviour was wholly inappropriate” and “expresses remorse.”
She claimed the attack was a “spontaneous loss of temper,” not pre-meditated, and his behaviour was “affected by alcohol.”
Recorder Lawrence McDonald sentenced Hamilton to 13 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete 270 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation days, and pay £3,000 compensation to the driver and £1,630 in court costs.
Read another story
- EDINBURGH TO REVIEW BUS LANE ACCESS FOR PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES AMID OPPOSITION
A report before the city’s transport meeting next Thursday asks councillors to look at opening up bus lanes to PHVs and calls for a review of all current bus gates.
- ARUN COUNCIL SEEKS FEEDBACK ON MANDATORY CCTV AND PANIC BUTTONS FOR TAXIS AND PHVS
The council is asking residents, drivers, and businesses to complete a survey to address local concerns about passenger and driver safety.
- 'APPALLED AT THE DISCRIMINATION': PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER FINED FOR REFUSING BLIND PASSENGER AND GUIDE DOG
Mohamed Abid Hussain told the passenger she could not bring "her pet" into his vehicle, despite the animal wearing a high-vis harness.
- INVERNESS CABBIES ISSUED WARNINGS OVER DRESS CODE, DOCUMENTATION AND VEHICLE CONDITION
A joint operation by Police Scotland and Highland Council Trading Standards in Inverness has resulted in multiple warnings being issued to taxi and PH drivers for various licence breaches.
- TRAINING GAP EXPOSED AFTER CHORLEY CABBIE SUSPENDED OVER ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR NEAR-MISS
The driver, who works for Four Sixes taxi company, was suspended after a passenger's electric wheelchair fell backwards while attempting to ascend a ramp into the taxi.
- GUERNSEY TAXI DRIVERS MUST WEAR LANYARDS TO COMBAT OVERCHARGING COMPLAINTS
Laura Oxburgh, head of on-island travel and transport implementation, said feedback showed the difficulty in identifying vehicles and drivers when customers needed to complain.
- STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE: BRACKNELL CAB DRIVER'S PLEA FOR COUNCIL HELP AMID TRADE DECLINE
Addressing the council’s Licensing and Safety Committee on October 23, Manoj Lacximicant of the Bracknell Hackney Taxi Association painted a bleak picture of the industry.
- RUSHCLIFFE COUNCIL SPLIT ON MANDATORY TAXI CCTV POLICY AGREES TO 12-MONTH REVIEW
A draft of the new Hackney Carriage and PH Licensing Policy for 2025 to 2030 was presented to the Licensing Committee on October 27, with an aim to reverse the decline in licensed taxis.
- OUT OF AREA PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY £3,543 FOR ILLEGAL PICK UP AFTER MAN UTD MATCH
Ali Imran Shan Shreen, 55, from Oldham, was spotted by Trafford Council Licensing Enforcement Officers on Sir Alex Ferguson Way after the Reds' match against Brentford.
- HAVE YOUR SAY ON PROPOSED TAXI RANK MOVE IN STEVENAGE
The primary benefit of the move is an improved layout that allows taxi users to be picked up and dropped off without crossing through the bus terminal.
- FEMALE TAXI DRIVER HOSPITALISED AFTER ASSAULT AND ROBBERY IN DUNDEE
A female taxi driver was rushed to the hospital after being attacked and robbed by two male passengers in Dundee early Tuesday morning.
- BELFAST CABBIE BANNED FOR 12 MONTHS FOR DRUNKEN DRIVING
A 62-year-old Belfast taxi driver, Patrick Griffin, has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £250 after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
- COVENTRY COUNCIL U-TURNS ON TAXI RANK PLAN DESPITE 1600 SIGNATURE SAFETY PETITION
Major Gill, the Coventry taxi branch chairman of the union Unite and a member of the council's Taxi Forum, argues that the current setup is insufficient and puts the public at risk.
- TWO UBER DRIVERS FINED AND LOSE THEIR LICENCES AFTER REFUSING GUIDE DOG PASSENGERS
Both drivers appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court, where the court was shown footage of each driver refusing a woman and her assistance dog before cancelling the journey and driving off.
- DNA BREAKTHROUGH JAILS TAXI DRIVER TWO DECADES AFTER LOUGHBOROUGH RAPE
Mahbubur Rahman, now 50, was found guilty following a trial at Leicester Crown Court in September 2024.
- PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER BANNED FROM THE ROADS AFTER OPERATING ILLEGALLY IN READING
Ram Sah attended Reading Magistrates Court in relation to an incident where, on 14 February 2025, he approached two Reading Council Licensing officers and offered his services as a taxi.
- DARLINGTON COUNCIL ISSUES ADVICE AFTER REPORTS OF TAXI TOUTING IN THE TOWN CENTRE
The advice comes after reports on social media of a man who pulled up on Priestgate in Darlington and approached a woman offering to take her across town for £10.
- HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCILLOR ACCUSES LOCAL TAXI FIRMS OF RIPPING OFF THE COUNCIL
Non-aligned councillor Jim Kenyon told a full council meeting that "unscrupulous" firms have been charging "up to four times what you’d pay on the meter to get our children to school."
- PUBLIC ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGEPOINTS SURGE 23 IN JUST ONE YEAR
Figures released today (Thursday 30 October) show there are now 86,021 chargers on Britain’s roads, making it easier than ever for drivers to charge up and go.
- STOLEN TAXI LEAVES TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION ACROSS NORTH DEVON AFTER DRIVER THREATENED
The incident began around 4.15pm on Sunday, October 26, in the Geneva Court area of Bideford, following a report that a white Ford Mondeo taxi had been stolen.
All content Copyright © 2025
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited