Asked to be a witness in court
Discussion
Long story short, a taxi driver from our local city tried to rip me off.
It was such an obvious rip off I took his badge number and reported it. The council got in touch yesterday to say they were going to pull him but it was such a serious offence they wanted to prosecute and would I be willing to go to court. I could say yes or no.
I said I needed to speak to the wife as something like that was a family decision, I kind of knew what her reaction would be.
I'm quite confident I can look after myself but as my wife fears, this guy will most likely know who it was who reported him and there are only four houses down our lonning-it doesn't take the brains of Britain to figure out who's windows to put through or who's car to vandalise or worse should you wish to.
On the one hand, I was monumentally pissed off at the time of the event-if it was my wife or daughters they probably wouldn't have known how much they were getting ripped off. If they did and they pulled him, what would he have done? If he's willing to rinse a bloke who knows how to look after himself how many other people has he been willing to rip off?
On the other, who needs to invite all that carry on into their lives and the possibility of some sort of retribution from someone who's obviously one of life's wrong 'uns.
What would you do?
It was such an obvious rip off I took his badge number and reported it. The council got in touch yesterday to say they were going to pull him but it was such a serious offence they wanted to prosecute and would I be willing to go to court. I could say yes or no.
I said I needed to speak to the wife as something like that was a family decision, I kind of knew what her reaction would be.
I'm quite confident I can look after myself but as my wife fears, this guy will most likely know who it was who reported him and there are only four houses down our lonning-it doesn't take the brains of Britain to figure out who's windows to put through or who's car to vandalise or worse should you wish to.
On the one hand, I was monumentally pissed off at the time of the event-if it was my wife or daughters they probably wouldn't have known how much they were getting ripped off. If they did and they pulled him, what would he have done? If he's willing to rinse a bloke who knows how to look after himself how many other people has he been willing to rip off?
On the other, who needs to invite all that carry on into their lives and the possibility of some sort of retribution from someone who's obviously one of life's wrong 'uns.
What would you do?
In most people's worlds, family would always come 1st. If you have young children, they would be the priority. You may not always be around on the off chance that something may happen.
For me personally, id deal with it out of court. The offender would know about my feelings and wouldn't forget.
For me personally, id deal with it out of court. The offender would know about my feelings and wouldn't forget.
It's a sad society when fear let's the bad people get away to do it again, or worse.
That is the society we have become, the authorities will not protect you, protecting yourself is the only way.
Been in a similar situation, let down completely by authority, forget it or deal with him for your own sanity.
That is the society we have become, the authorities will not protect you, protecting yourself is the only way.
Been in a similar situation, let down completely by authority, forget it or deal with him for your own sanity.
Must have been a very serious attempt at a rip off for the Council to want to take him to court ?
Would a court even be interested ?!
I think on balance if me I would be happy enough to supply a written statement with my personal details obviously requested as being redacted but that would be it.
Would a court even be interested ?!
I think on balance if me I would be happy enough to supply a written statement with my personal details obviously requested as being redacted but that would be it.
The fact the council are taking it to court would suggest you aren't the only one who's come across this driver doing this.
I wouldn't worry too much, just because the driver is a scammer/chancing his arm doesn't mean hes going to performing mafia style retributions.
If you are worried just get a Ring doorbell up to cover yourself.
I wouldn't worry too much, just because the driver is a scammer/chancing his arm doesn't mean hes going to performing mafia style retributions.
If you are worried just get a Ring doorbell up to cover yourself.
If you reported him then you should follow it through.
It may be part of a case against him with other parties, it may not, but either way he should be held to account.
I very much doubt he will do anything to you/family or your property - this would be monumentally stupid and would see him in real trouble. But put up a couple of cameras if you feel their is any threat.
It may be part of a case against him with other parties, it may not, but either way he should be held to account.
I very much doubt he will do anything to you/family or your property - this would be monumentally stupid and would see him in real trouble. But put up a couple of cameras if you feel their is any threat.
PRO5T said:
Long story short, a taxi driver from our local city tried to rip me off.
It was such an obvious rip off I took his badge number and reported it. The council got in touch yesterday to say they were going to pull him but it was such a serious offence they wanted to prosecute and would I be willing to go to court. I could say yes or no.
I said I needed to speak to the wife as something like that was a family decision, I kind of knew what her reaction would be.
I'm quite confident I can look after myself but as my wife fears, this guy will most likely know who it was who reported him and there are only four houses down our lonning-it doesn't take the brains of Britain to figure out who's windows to put through or who's car to vandalise or worse should you wish to.
On the one hand, I was monumentally pissed off at the time of the event-if it was my wife or daughters they probably wouldn't have known how much they were getting ripped off. If they did and they pulled him, what would he have done? If he's willing to rinse a bloke who knows how to look after himself how many other people has he been willing to rip off?
On the other, who needs to invite all that carry on into their lives and the possibility of some sort of retribution from someone who's obviously one of life's wrong 'uns.
What would you do?
I policed near to where I lived for many years. Even had an attempted Burglary at my house where I caught the offender and subsequently convicted at court.It was such an obvious rip off I took his badge number and reported it. The council got in touch yesterday to say they were going to pull him but it was such a serious offence they wanted to prosecute and would I be willing to go to court. I could say yes or no.
I said I needed to speak to the wife as something like that was a family decision, I kind of knew what her reaction would be.
I'm quite confident I can look after myself but as my wife fears, this guy will most likely know who it was who reported him and there are only four houses down our lonning-it doesn't take the brains of Britain to figure out who's windows to put through or who's car to vandalise or worse should you wish to.
On the one hand, I was monumentally pissed off at the time of the event-if it was my wife or daughters they probably wouldn't have known how much they were getting ripped off. If they did and they pulled him, what would he have done? If he's willing to rinse a bloke who knows how to look after himself how many other people has he been willing to rip off?
On the other, who needs to invite all that carry on into their lives and the possibility of some sort of retribution from someone who's obviously one of life's wrong 'uns.
What would you do?
I've never had any sort of retribution by anyone I've dealt with, some would have known where I lived.
What I'm trying to say is that it's not a certain that the driver will do anything. I'd happily give evidence against him, regardless of him living 4 doors away.
Sounds like he's losing his taxi licence regardless of being prosecuted? If he's looking for revenge then losing his livelihood is all the motivation he needs?
You can also ask for special measures in court proceedings. So you are a bit more protected from the suspect. Ask the council for them, I bet they won't offer them.
Can you share some further details of the transaction? Was it card or cash? What type of journey was it preivate hire or public hire?
Did you complete the complaints/claim procedure with the local licensing department?
I've operated a taxi business for 26 years and work on a commitee with drivers, operators and the LA.
Did you complete the complaints/claim procedure with the local licensing department?
I've operated a taxi business for 26 years and work on a commitee with drivers, operators and the LA.
MikeM6 said:
Follow it through and help enable justice if you can. I understand your worries, but if we all succumb to that way of thinking, we end up with no accountability for injustice.
Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.
There is this, if you wish to be part of a civilised society it takes all of us to pull together to make it happen. There is the other side of it of course which I've already explained.Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.
cts1975 said:
Can you share some further details of the transaction? Was it card or cash? What type of journey was it preivate hire or public hire?
Did you complete the complaints/claim procedure with the local licensing department?
I've operated a taxi business for 26 years and work on a commitee with drivers, operators and the LA.
I don't know how much to share considering I may be going to court over it!Did you complete the complaints/claim procedure with the local licensing department?
I've operated a taxi business for 26 years and work on a commitee with drivers, operators and the LA.
It wasn't a massive amount of money-it was around twice what it should have been on a ten mile or so journey before the local councils watershed time (so before 10pm or something like that) so you can do the maths.
I paid cash as I thought there was no way I was giving this shyster my card. I don't know the difference between private or public hire but it was a standard hackney carriage as far as I'm aware. All the local taxis are the same colour and designation but I guess some are owner operators, some are driving for bigger firms etc.
I completed the online complaints form with the local council. I wasn't looking for any money back.
To flesh it out a little. I noticed the meter wasn't running mid way through the journey and questioned it. The driver stated the council had a standard "flat fee" to take anyone to our small town of £XX. Any similar journey I've ever taken has been around half that price.
By this point I was out of town and I figured if I kicked up a fuss I was likely to be deposited at the side of the road in the sticks so I made it clear I'd never been charged that much before and held my tongue.
He made it clear he understood I wasn't happy with the price and steadily reduced his "flat fee" to something around what I'd consider the norm by the time I got out. I gave him cash and made it clear I took a photo of his license plate/badge when I left.
The next day while considering how out of order it was I searched for the complaints procedure and filled it in, then heard back from the council yesterday. That's about the top and bottom of it.
ETA;
The journey was about four weeks ago, maybe he'll remember the mark who was pissed off and he didn't end up fleecing, maybe he's fleeced so many since then he won't remember at all. I imagine they'll give hm the time and dates in order to defend himself.
Also, if I do end up going to court I may need to delete some of the details in this post so if no one can quote it that would be great.
Edited by PRO5T on Thursday 5th February 12:08
alscar said:
Must have been a very serious attempt at a rip off for the Council to want to take him to court ?
Would a court even be interested ?!
I think on balance if me I would be happy enough to supply a written statement with my personal details obviously requested as being redacted but that would be it.
Unfortunately that would not be sufficient for court, for a witness to be used in court the defendant has the right to cross examine the witness, in serious cases special measures can be put in place to enable that with vulnerable witnesses but that would not apply in the OP's case. Would a court even be interested ?!
I think on balance if me I would be happy enough to supply a written statement with my personal details obviously requested as being redacted but that would be it.
If the defence agree a witness statement can be read in court without the witness attending but that requires defence agreement which I assume doesn't apply here either.
It may well be that the OP did turn up at court and the defendant then pleads guilty on the day but that's a coin toss
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff