accused of taxi touting

[raantheman]

this entry is a reply to my previous question clarifying what i mean. i went out to the west end with a couple of friends who had been drinking i myself do not drink so i drove. i parked in charing cross road and spent a couple of hours with them they left later due to meeting other people. i returned to my car drove to a 24 hrs newsagent on that road and was sitting in my car reading a newspaper. a few minutes later a guy approached me and started speaking to me. he looked familiar and i initially thought he was one of the guys i met in the various bars i had been to so as it was pouring down with rain i said get in he then got in thinking it was just him alone, a women got in with him and after speaking to them i realised he was not the person i met in the bars i had been to.they asked me to take them to tower hill which is on my way home so i agreed, they offered me money to do so. i agreed to do that thinking it was ok it was on my way home. i was stopped by the police they asked the lady in the car if there was a charge for taking them home and she said yes i was then arrested for touting which i did not do. no witness staements were taken from the passengers but i still face trial next week on the touting charge. can anyone give me advise please as i did not tout for money i initially thought the guy was someone i met earlier.

[Ethel]

London is currently clamping down on taxi touts - big time.


A tout doesn't stand outside the car shouting 'cheap ride home' to passers by. They know they are acting illegally and are discreet. The park up in busy areas, with their interior lights on, hoping to attract fares. Rather like you did.

Even if this man was somebody you know, it is still illegal to charge for the ride.

I would suggest you and your vehicle have been watched for some time - a bit of a coincidence you getting stopped the very first time you innocently give a stranger a lift. I also think this couple were undercover enforcement officers.

Frankly, your story is not convincing. If you were touting, plead guilty. If you weren't, hire a solicitor.