
A Carlisle taxi driver who was grabbed from behind and put in a headlock by a drunk passenger refusing to pay a £28 fare fought back by biting his attacker on the wrist.
Sheldon O’Neil, 28, from Belah, initially lied to police by claiming the driver had assaulted him, but later admitted to making off without paying and assault by beating at the city's crown court.
The incident began on March 29, 2024, after O'Neil and two other men hired the cab. Prosecutor Tanya Elahi told the court that after the other passengers were dropped off, O'Neil was left alone in the vehicle and "grabbed him from behind and placed him in a headlock, with his right arm across his [the driver’s] throat."
Describing the driver's reaction, Ms Elahi added: "In an attempt to free himself, he bit the defendant on the wrist." O'Neil then got out and damaged the cab by punching the window and kicking the vehicle.
The court heard that O'Neil has 28 previous offences on his record, including crimes of violence and dishonesty, and was drunk during the attack.
The victim stated that the ordeal caused him such severe anxiety that he is now considering changing jobs. Recorder Ciaran Rankin noted the profound impact on the driver, though he acknowledged that O’Neil had shown some remorse.
O'Neil was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year, alongside 25 rehabilitation activity days and 60 days of alcohol treatment.
Having been held in custody ahead of the hearing, he was told he would be released immediately.

Edward Howard, 28, from Shelf, Halifax, carried out the attack near Cleckheaton on November 10, 2025, after becoming heavily intoxicated following a night out in Leeds city centre.

Shak Rahman, 48, struck the victim as he crossed Percy Street after finishing work, throwing him into the air and onto the windscreen before he landed heavily on the road.

Dashcam manufacturer Nextbase released exclusive footage to ITV News highlighting these fraudulent schemes, where criminals intentionally cause collisions to exploit motor insurance policies.

While the initial phase will feature a licensed private hire driver behind the wheel rather than full automation, the decision has drawn swift criticism and caution from officials and unions alike.

The public consultation closes at midday on Friday, August 7, with the council urging anyone with an interest in the future of taxi and private hire services in the district to take part before the deadline.

The decision marks a major milestone for ride-hailing giant Uber and British artificial intelligence firm Wayve, making London the first city in the world to deploy Wayve’s commercial autonomous technology. 

Emergency services were called to Asbridge Street at around 6.45am on Tuesday, 4 August, after a silver Toyota Corolla PHV collided with the property, causing visible damage to the vehicle.

The council has confirmed it has received a claim for a judicial review regarding "certain aspects" of its updated Hackney Carriage and PH Licensing Policy, which was originally approved on 19 March

Mohammad Karim, 27, was sentenced in his absence at Boston Magistrates' Court after failing to attend due to illness.

Under the proposal, which will now go to full council for final approval, the current ten-year age limit on licensed vehicles will be increased to 15 years exclusively for electric models.

The driver was parked on a nearby street waiting for his next booking after completing an Uber journey when an unknown man approached his car.

In meeting minutes detailing the refusal, the panel concluded that "on the balance of probabilities" the unnamed applicant was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

Local firms argue that the timing of the enforcement undermines their livelihoods during the most profitable period of the year.

Almost 18,000 drivers have received payouts between £300 and £500 under a Goodwill Payment Scheme, which was introduced to support those whose livelihoods were disrupted.

Now part of Vertu Motors following its acquisition last summer, the business continues to provide servicing, parts and specialist support tailored to professional drivers who own and run LEVC Hackney carriages

The drivers accepted unbooked fares from undercover licensing officers - violating strict regulations that stipulate only hackneys licensed within Trafford can be hailed directly in the borough.

The unannounced inspections were carried out to ensure licensed cabs continue to meet strict safety and reliability standards for local passengers.

Despite clear signage prohibiting taxis, local cabbies continue to block the area near the Platform 4 entrance, creating severe congestion for pedestrians and other motorists, especially during evening hours.

Ongoing works on major routes - including Tenter Street, Furnival Road, Clarkehouse Road, and Granville Road - are causing extensive delays, particularly during rush hour traffic.

Starting fares across all tariffs will increase by 30p - with tariff one rising from £2.60 to £2.90 - representing an average fare increase of around 4.28%, whilst tariff two will see a 10% rise.
