Police warn public about unlicensed taxi dangers

Police in Guernsey have warned islanders about the dangers of using unlicensed taxis, following a court case.

Guernsey Police said people should plan return travel before nights out, either getting a lift from a friend or family member or using a licensed taxi.

The warning comes after The Royal Court found that unlicensed taxi driver William Edward King, 44, had imprisoned and sexually assaulted a woman in a car in April 2023, when he picked her up after a night out.

"Please do not take the risk with your safety or the safety of others," police said.

Police said King picked up the woman and a male friend before dropping the friend off.

He then drove her around the island before she fell asleep and she later woke up "to find the driver sexually assaulting her," they said.

King was deemed unfit to stand trial, but a fact finding hearing on 7 January found he had "done the physical acts that make up the offences", police said, adding that he was at risk of carrying out further "serious sexual harm" to women and girls.

He was "detained at His Majesty's pleasure – imprisoned" and made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), police said.

The order will run until at least 2030, according to the Royal Court, and comes with various conditions, including any work or volunteering King takes on needing to be approved.

Guernsey Police said it wanted to "reassure the community that even in these unusual circumstances" it would "rigorously pursue measures to protect the public".

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