Fife taxi driver cleared of making sexual remarks

A Fife taxi driver accused of asking female passengers for sexual favours has been found not guilty.

Talib Pashtun appeared for trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court charged with making offensive remarks to three women in his vehicle on May 11.

The 29-year-old, who denied the allegations against him, had his taxi licence suspended by Fife Council chiefs earlier this year.

The committee decided he was no longer a fit and proper person to hold the licence and was someone who may pose a threat to public safety. It was suspended until August 2020.

The court was told yesterday that Pashtun had made comments about the appearance of two women on a journey from Asda in Kirkcaldy.

A 20-year-old, who cannot be named, claimed Pashtun asked her and her best friend to go back to his home and if they would like to have sex with him.

The passenger said she told the driver to stop the car a short distance from their final destination as they were “too uncomfortable”, before exiting the vehicle.

She later reported the incident to the police.

A second charge against Pashtun, of Harris Drive, Kirkcaldy, claimed he repeatedly made references to a woman’s breasts and invited her to engage in sexual acts on the same date.

After hearing initial evidence, depute fiscal Jade Doig told the court the Crown were no longer seeking a prosecution in the case.

Sheriff James MacDonald said: “Accordingly, I find you not guilty on both charges. You are free to leave the dock.”