JAILED: Hit-And-Run Death Crash Cabbie Who Continued Collecting Fares

Court Arrival: Cheheb

A London black cab driver, who fled a fatal midnight hit-and-run, continued picking-up passengers in his damaged taxi as his victim lay dying in the road, a court heard yesterday.

Algerian-born Farid Cheheb, 60, had fatally injured Irish barman Shane Scannell, 44, who died in hospital four days later surrounded by his devastated family.

When sentenced to four months imprisonment the cabbie collapsed in the secure dock at Staines-upon-Thames Magistrates’ Court and was eventually taken away in an ambulance after nearly an hour of medical attention.

Cheheb, of Drummond Gardens, Epsom, Surrey pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident in nearby South Street on May 21, 2023 and was also disqualified from driving for eight months.

He was not charged with a more serious offence after a forensic police investigation found no fault with his driving leading up to the tragedy.

Prosecutor Amanda Burrows told the court: “Very tragically it was the consequences of this defendant’s actions that led to the death of Shane Scannell.

“Mr Cheheb was driving his black London taxi in Epsom town centre, collecting a fare from the railway station around midnight and taking the customer to Pine Hill.

“After dropping off the passenger he was driving in South Street, Epsom when he collided with a pedestrian, Mr Scannell, who had left McCafferty’s public house at around midnight.”

The Tralee man - a keen Liverpool FC fan - worked at the pub and in her victim impact statement his sister, Jill Dawe said: “Emotionally, the impact of Shane’s death has devastated our family.”

“He was walking home and the investigating police officers considered a number of possible scenarios,” explained the prosecutor. “They concluded it was very unlikely he was upright and on two feet.

“Maybe he had fallen and was in the process of getting to his feet when the vehicle collided with the victim and left him with traumatic injuries.

“Very quickly after the collision members of the public became aware of Mr Scannell in the road and he was attended to fairly rapidly after the impact and taken to St. George’s Hospital, south-west London.

“Police made enquiries and traced the vehicle back to this defendant,” said Ms Burrows. “There was damage to the vehicle consistent with the accident and he was arrested and interviewed.

Tragedy: Shane Scannell

“He said he was aware of the impact and thought he had hit a deer or a fox, but this was not accepted by the officers because the visibility should have allowed him to see what he had collided with.”

Mrs Dawe continued: “On the night of May 21 my brother, who was walking home, was involved in an incident whereby he was struck by a moving vehicle and died.

“My brother suffered abhorrent injuries, which left him almost unrecognisable to his family.

“On the morning of May 21 at 2.30am I was woken by a police officer, who stated that my brother had been involved in an accident and they needed to take me via blue lights to St. George’s.

“On arrival at the hospital I was told that ultimately my brother was going to die and at any moment could suffer a cardiac arrest and would not be revived.

“He died after life support was removed surrounded by his immediate family.

“My mother lost her only son and I lost my only brother and my children lost their uncle.

“We are struggling to cope with his loss and we find ourselves constantly overwhelmed, anxious and depressed.

“Mentally the loss of my brother has taken a toll on us all and it is difficult to find purpose in our lives in the wake of the tragedy.

“We are struggling to find a way forward, sleep is disturbed, there are nightmares and we are struggling to cope with the emotional and mental challenges.”

Father-of-two Cheheb has been in the UK for thirty years and his wife works for the NHS, but he is no stranger to the courts with a 2009 offensive weapon conviction and one for assault in 2017.

His lawyer Suzy Wainscoat told the court: “Mr Cheheb accepts his responsibility for the tragic incident and extends his condolences to Mr Scannell’s family and expresses remorse and regret for his actions.

Court Departure: Cheheb

“It is not suggested he was at fault with the standard of his driving. He was not speeding, he was not using his electronic devices, which the police have checked.

“He was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and he continued to work for a short period afterwards.

“Mr Scannell was not run over. He was at a low level to the ground, that is the police evidence.

“He is a well known and respected person in Epsom, doing the train station run for the last twenty years, but he has lost that through the gossip of the local taxi rank and lives with the guilt to this day.

“He has worked hard and led a decent life and contributes to the local community,” added Ms Wainscoat. “His actions were out of character, he is a responsible driver that takes pride in his work.

“He did not think clearly and maybe he was in shock at the time and tried to carry on as if nothing had happened.

“He recognises he is at significant risk of custody and has been effectively housebound since this accident and has not worked and led a rather reclusive life, staying at home.”

Cheheb’s official Hackney Carriage Licence, which allows him to work and drive a black cab has been suspended for ten years.

“His actions were through lack of thinking rather than a deliberate act of striking Mr Scannell and he hopes to return to driving eventually.

“Mr Cheheb did not feel he should have been driving due to the shock of this incident, but it is the only way of earning a living for his family and is his only skill.

“He has the respect of regular customers who would come to him by name until this incident.

“He would suffer mentally from custody and in their pre-sentence report the probation officer recommends longer rehabilitation.”

District Judge Julie Cooper told Cheheb the circumstances of the offence were so serious only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

“The police investigation shows you would have seen Mr Scannell in the road for ten metres. He was not upright, he may have tripped over or was bending down to pick something up, who knows?

Ambulance For Cheheb!

“When you knew you had hit something you should have stopped to see what it was, even if it was an animal which you are not required to stop for, but could have called the RSPCA.

“You did not know what you had hit, but it could always be a person. It would take just seconds to see what you had done, but you carried on and picked up two more fares.

“This accident left a man dying in the road to the horror of his family and knowing he was left in that state will weigh heavily on them.

“I cannot pass sentence today other than a custodial one and that must be immediate. I cannot suspend that sentence.

“I am aware of the impact of a custodial sentence on both yourself and your family  and I am also aware of the impact on the family of Mr Scannell.”

At this point Cheheb collapsed to the floor of the dock and remained breathing, but unresponsive for some time as police and custody staff attended to him.

“He has collapsed in the dock. We need an ambulance, call 999 straight away,” announced District Judge Cooper.

After the tragedy McCafferty’s announced: “To say that we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Shane Scannell would probably be the understatement of the century.

“Shane was a friend to many of us here and a massive part of the McCafferty’s team. As many will agree, he was possibly the biggest Liverpool supporter known to mankind, always up for the craic and always with a smile.”

Military Tattoo: Celebrated Household Cavalry Corporal Molested Party Teen

A drunken Household Cavalry staff corporal - featured by the Royal British Legion for his military tattoos - molested a 15 year-old party guest during a sleepover.

Father-of-four Lawrence Sabatini, 38, ventured down to the living-room, where the teen was sleeping with another young girl and groped her bum and between her legs.

When confronted he angrily barked: “Can you f***? You’re just lesbians, f*** you lesbians.”

Sabatini, of Thiepval Drive, Bulford, Wiltshire, was a subject of the ‘Tribute Ink’ exhibition, due to his multiple tattoos commemorating the service of Commonwealth servicemen and women.

He fought the charge, claiming his alcohol intake resulted in loss of control of his actions, but this was rejected by the Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury, which convicted him of sexual assault.

Sabatini and his wife were guests at the Hounslow house party on August 8, 2021 and were expected to share an upstairs bedroom.

“You drank heavily at that party and knew at the time you were sleep-deprived after a Wiltshire military exercise, but consumed beer and several litres of vodka,” Judge Marcus Tregilgas-Davey told him yesterday.

The victim, who attended the sentencing with relatives, told the trial: “I was on a blow-up bed and he came in and laid there and then started going down by my bed.

“I thought he was drunk and so I moved, but he moved and started touching my bum and tried to go through my legs.

“He grabbed my bum and tried to pull me closer and was scooping me by my bum.”

The girls left the living-room due to Sabatini’s creepy behaviour and when the second teen persuaded the victim to return he verbally abused both of them.

“Wisely the two girls left the room distressed and sought comfort elsewhere,” added Judge Tregilgas-Davey. “In the morning you said you had no recollection of the incident.”

Prosecutor Michael Hillman said: “There is no victim impact statement, but she was in tears when I spoke to her this morning.

“She has been effected by this offending and is much less social and not going out as much.”

Sabatini’s lawyer Ailsa Williamson told the court: “The defendant has not drank alcohol since this incident three years ago and has been seeking treatment for his PTSD.

“He has been recently medically discharged and received a lump sum and now he and his family will be moving out of military accommodation.”

Judge Tregilgas-Davey announced: “I accept this incident has had a not insignificant impact on her and it is deeply upsetting as a young woman should be enjoying life and going out socialising.

‘It struck me during the trial that she was very brave coming forward with the complaint. She showed a great deal of fortitude.”

First-time offender Sabatini received a twelve-month community order, which includes 200 hours community service work and thirty days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also sign the sex offenders register and pay £4,000 costs.

Sabatini joined the Army in 2005, becoming an elite Paratrooper before transferring to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, where he was a Staff Corporal - the equivalent rank to Staff Sergeant.

He served two tours of Afghanistan, where he regularly operated behind enemy lines as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force.

Before his second tour of Afghanistan South African-born Sabatini’s left arm was ‘sleeved’ with tributes to fallen Commonwealth soldiers.

“Some people are not good with words. Tattoos are a way of expressing something important to you without having to speak,” Sabatini told the ‘Tribute Ink’ touring exhibition.

“People might spot your tattoo, but never ask you about it, but if they do it is a way to start that conversation about its meaning.

“To some people they are just tattoos, but for me it will always be more than that. It is a good way of expressing yourself.

“Getting my sleeve before I headed back out to Afghanistan allowed me to get in the mindset and to set the tone for the forthcoming deployment.

“My favourite piece within my tattoo are the poppies. These were the first thing I got.

“They represent the respect for the fallen. There is no greater sacrifice than being prepared to die for your country and it commemorates the ultimate sacrifice.”

Thameslink Pervert Targeted Female Passenger

A female train passenger travelling through south London was deliberately targeted by a mystery pervert, who pleasured himself opposite her.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them in identifying the mystery male, who is of Asian appearance.

BTP are treating the incident as indecent exposure.

The victim was on a Thameslink train at approximately 11.15pm on Tuesday, February 6.

An unknown man sat opposite her as the service travelled between Tooting and Herne Hill and exposed himself and started masturbating.

The woman was extremely distressed and left her seat to report what had happened.

If you recognise the man in the image or have any information about the incident please contact officers by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 808 of 6 February.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Tracks Of My Tears: Ex-Train Couple's Bust Up

A Southeastern trains employee, who bumped into her ex-girlfriend – a driver with the company – struck her to the side of the head in a busy shop, a court heard.

Bobbette Henry, 50, (pictured) of Broadfield Road, Catford ran into former partner Tea Dautovic in a branch of healthfood store Holland & Barrett in Lewisham on August 29, last year.

Bromley Magistrates Court heard the women disagree on the amount of force used with Ms Dautovic describing it as a punch to the side of her temple and the defendant claiming she merely put her hand out.

Henry pleaded guilty to assault and was conditionally discharged for twelve months, ordered to pay £50 compensation to her ex, plus £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

The court heard the couple had dated for five years and came face-to-face just two weeks after the split, although Henry says they broke up two years before that.

Without warning the defendant suddenly and unexpectedly struck Ms Dautovic with a punch to the side of her head.

The victim immediately walked away and described herself as feeling “shocked, scared, confused and angry,” and is now paranoid about walking around in public in Lewisham.

The prosecution described it as a “fairly short assault” with no description of any injury.

Henry claims Ms Dautovic called her a “black n*****” when they met in the shop and had deliberately tried to “antagonise” her since they broke up.

She also insisted she did not punch the victim, but simply put her hand out, but accepted it was unacceptable behaviour.

The magistrate told Henry: “It is always a great shame to see someone of your age in trouble. I know emotions were high and it was not the worst assault we have ever heard of.

“I am sure we will never see you again.”

Escalator Sex Assault: Do You Know This Suspect?

A female tube train passenger was followed from the carriage and molested on the escalator by a mystery man, who sneaked behind her.

British Transport Police (BTP) are treating the incident as a sexual assault.

Investigating officers have released this image of their suspect and are appealing for the assistance of the public to assist identifying him.

At around 9.45pm on Sunday, February 18 the victim was on a southbound Northern Line train when a man boarded at Archway and sat a few seats away.

The victim left the train at Warren Street and, as she got up to leave, noticed the man leaving ahead of her. 

He then stopped to get behind the victim, followed her off the platform, and sexually assaulted her on the escalator.

Officers believe the man in the image may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 120 of 19/02/2024.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Travelodge Sex Predator: "Not One Scintilla Of Remorse"

A sexual predator, who lured a young unsuspecting, vulnerable woman into a hotel room where he molested her, received a suspended prison sentence today.

Hiron Miah, 42, convinced himself the victim - who has learning difficulties - would acquiesce to his clumsy advances as he stripped down to his boxer shorts and coaxed the woman onto the bed.

An Inner London Crown Court convicted him of two counts of sexual assault at the Travelodge Hotel, Waterloo on January 22, 2019.

Miah, of Passive Close, Rainham received twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years and must complete a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years and must comply with a five-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with the victim.

“She was unaware that you had booked the hotel room,” Judge D Reed told Miah today. “That was your plan, your intention to have sexual intimacy.

“You thought if you got her alone in the hotel room it would inevitably lead to her yielding to your attractiveness.”

Miah stripped down to his vest and boxer shorts and donned a bathrobe.

Telling her: “You’re mine. You’re my girlfriend,” he started unclipping her bra.

“You took your boxers off and took your penis out,” Judge Reed told Miah. “However, she told you she would rather watch the telly.”

By now Miah had placed himself behind the victim on the bed. “You were, in her words ‘whacking’ her back with your penis and the jury found this was sexual assault.

“You touched her bottom under her clothing and the jury found this was also a sexual assault.”

The woman eventually responded by striking Miah. 

“That slap brought you to your senses,” Judge Reed told him.

“She was a young woman with learning difficulties. She may not look like a child, but she acts like a child.

“She found herself in a room with a man she had only just met.”

The court heard Miah, who still maintains his innocence, has ADHD and some educational difficulties of his own.

“Your motive was sexual gratification and I have not seen one scintilla of remorse,” the judge told him.

“You lack sexual respect for women.”

Miah was described as a “medium risk to the public” and Judge Reed announced: “There is a realistic prospect of greatly reducing the risk you pose with probation intervention.

“You know how narrowly you have avoided going to prison today.”

Cannabis Driver Caught During Flood Mercy Dash

A driver, who got out of bed to assist his flooded in-laws, has been banned from the roads after police caught him behind the wheel under the influence of cannabis.

Yard supervisor Kevin Andrews, 55, had a half-smoked joint in his BMW when stopped during the journey and was nearly three times the legal blood cannabis limit.

At Staines-upon-Thames Magistrates’ Court he was fined £120, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £48 victim surcharge and disqualified from driving for twelve months.

Andrews, of Molesham Way, West Molesey, Surrey pleaded guilty to driving with 5.9 micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in his blood in Rydens Road, Walton-on-Thames on November 21, last year.

Prosecutor Gus Walter told the court officers stopped Andrews’ red BMW 325 because the vehicle was flagged for having no MOT.

“The reason for the stop was an expired MOT on the vehicle and the officers noticed a very strong smell smell of cannabis and a residue of a green herbal substance.

“The defendant provided a half-smoked cigarette that he confirmed was cannabis.”

A roadside drug swipe test showed he was positive for cannabis and Andrews was arrested and taken to Staines Police Station.

The first-time offender’s lawyer, Jennifer Lewin said: “He did not expect to be driving, but got a call from the parents of his partner.

“He was woken by the call and told there was a flood and both of them were sleeping in electric beds and he has training as an electrician and made the decision to drive.

“It was a split-second decision to go and he did not think of the options.

“The loss of his driving licence will be quite difficult for Mr Andrews and his family. He does look after others’ needs and with their shopping.”