Town holds whip-round for cabbie

The man travelled in the taxi from Newcastle to central Scotland

A community has raised more than £200 to pay back a taxi driver duped by a man who fled without paying after being taken from Newcastle to Scotland.

People in Banknock, near Falkirk, held the collection for the unsuspecting taxi driver, who drove the fare dodger more than 150 miles to the town.

Central Scotland Police have been trying to trace the man following the incident on 30 December.

The cabbie has now been sent £215 to cover the fare.

Alex Little, convener of Banknock, Haggs and Longcroft Community Council, said people in the town were ashamed of the way the 29-year-old taxi driver had been cheated.

Blue holdall

He said: "There is a very strong community spirit in Banknock and people did not want the possible stigma of this person's actions reflecting badly on the town.

"Those carrying out the collection were not refused at any door. People felt bad for the driver and now the money is on its way to him."

The taxi driver was convinced to take the man, who has been described by police as about 5ft 7in, with short brown hair and aged about 17, to Scotland after being assured he would be paid at the other end.

When the cabbie pulled into Hazel Road in Banknock following the four-hour trip, his passenger ran off.

Police want to hear from anyone who knows of someone who returned from Newcastle before Hogmanay.

The fare dodger was wearing a jumper and blue jeans and was carrying a blue holdall.

It is understood the fare for the black Skoda Octavia taxi ran to just over £200.