
A 21-year-old man has been jailed for three and a half years after attacking a taxi driver with a beer bottle when he tried to flee without paying his fare.
Lucas Simpson ordered the cab to take him and his girlfriend from Blackburn to Darwen late on July 16, 2024. Upon reaching the destination, Simpson got out and walked away without paying the £40 fare, leading the driver to follow him on foot out of concern.
Carrying a crate of beer, Simpson swung a bottle that missed and smashed on the ground, before hitting the driver in the face with a second bottle during a scuffle.
The cabbie suffered a cut above his eyebrow that required hospital treatment and left a permanent scar, as well as losing £40 in takings and developing anxiety around young passengers.
Simpson was later identified via CCTV and arrested on December 3, 2024.
During a trial at Preston Crown Court, Simpson admitted making off without payment and hitting the driver, but falsely claimed the cabbie had made inappropriate advances toward his girlfriend. The jury dismissed the story and found him guilty of wounding with intent.
His defence lawyer, Anthony Parkinson, pointed out that Simpson was 19 at the time and showed a lack of maturity.
Sentencing Simpson, Judge Robert Altham slammed the fabricated defence, saying: "That was a wicked lie, told by you about an innocent man, just to get yourself out of trouble and without any regard for him at all."
The judge added that the serious offence was made significantly worse by Simpson lying in the witness box.

The meeting brought together the North Northants Hackney Carriage Trade Alliance and local councillors, including regulatory services lead Cllr Kirk Harrison, to discuss the council's harmonised licensing policy.

The move follows widespread public outrage after convicted rapist David Brown was allowed to keep his operator’s licence following a majority decision made behind closed doors.

Daniella Shellard approached the Royal Cars cabbie on June 16 near Newport Bridge while he was parked up and waiting for a customer to return.=

Chris takes over the position from the outgoing Master, Leigh Dargan, whose year-long tenure in office has now come to an end. Leigh will however continue her service to the company in the role of Deputy Master.

Operations Manager Martin Walker said: "Since Chads Cars was acquired by JEM Group in 2022, our strategy has been to grow the business and deliver better services and benefits for customers and drivers alike."

The system operates through WhatsApp and is intended to allow passengers to book directly with local black cab drivers.

The latest National Taxi & PH Driver Survey found over a third of drivers reported their job negatively affects physical wellbeing, while over a quarter reported a negative impact on mental health.

John Matkin was a true pioneer of Derby’s taxi industry and the founder of the business that became Chads Cars. 

Under the new structure for journeys taken between 6am and 9pm from Monday to Saturday, the initial charge for the first 440 yards or first two minutes will jump from £4 to £4.50. 

This financial recovery occurred even as overall turnover dropped from £88.1m to £59.5m, driven by a strategy to control manufacturing costs, which fell by over 24% compared to previous year.

The upcoming change aims to replace the varied pricing structures left behind by the legacy councils of Allerdale, Carlisle, and Copeland, which were combined when the new authority formed on 1 April 2023.

Plans to increase taxi fares in Blaenau Gwent have stalled after only three out of 118 licensed drivers responded to a public consultation.

The passenger's partner shared details on social media - the post stated the driver made the comments during a journey home, leaving the lone woman "terrified" and "scared for her life".

In June, the council agreed to raise fares after a request from the Worcester Taxi Association, however, a subsequent survey of association members revealed a distinct lack of support for the hike. 

Among the central proposals is a new taxi licensing policy that would set one framework for driver conduct, vehicle standards, safeguarding and operator responsibilit

Tremaine Jackson, 21, was picked up by the cab in Leeds city centre from the Hampton Hotel at 3.31am on June 5, 2026, after having been freed from custody just the day before.

The terrifying collision happened on Station Road around 9am on September 7, leaving the front of the vehicle completely destroyed with a passenger sitting in the back seat.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Cameron Bennett, 22, boarded the vehicle in the Ely area of the city on Sunday, February 15, holding the weapon in his hand.

New right to work requirements for PH drivers will come into force on 1 Oct 26, placing a statutory duty on operators to verify a driver’s immigration status before allowing them to work.

Robert Hooper, 51, was handed a six-month restriction of liberty order after being convicted of intentional exposure and racially aggravated abuse.
