Published on 14th October 2015

Row of Hackney taxis along the Promenade taxi rank

Sylverster Bacziewicz, a 30-year-old male from Gloucester, has been successfully prosecuted for assaulting a taxi marshal thanks to video evidence from the body-worn cameras the marshal was wearing.

In the early hours of Sunday 12 July having caused problems outside a nightclub in Regent Street two males approached the taxi rank in the Promenade and attempted to jump the queue. When challenged by the taxi marshals on duty, one of the males assaulted the female taxi marshal and threw her to the ground.

Police were called and arrested the male who was subsequently charged with the assault and bailed to court. The incident was captured on the body-worn CCTV cameras. At Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Friday 9 October, Sylverster Bacziewicz was found guilty of assaulting the taxi marshal. Video evidence obtained by the body-worn cameras was instrumental in disproving Bacziewicz’s claim that he was acting in self-defence. He was sentenced to 100 hours community service and ordered to pay compensation of £100, Court’s charge of £520 and Crown Prosecution Service costs of £320.

The body-worn cameras were issued to taxi marshals earlier this year through funding from the Late Night Levy. This is the first conviction obtained using evidence from the cameras which have proved very successful in reducing incidents at the taxi rank which was previously a hot spot for disorder.

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, added: “This prosecution is an excellent example of how effective the body-worn CCTV cameras are in capturing as well as deterring potential trouble makers. This demonstrates the positive impact that money raised through the late night levy is having on Cheltenham’s night time economy to make it safe, inclusive and enjoyable for all.”

Following the success of the cameras at the rank an additional four cameras have been purchased by Cheltenham Safe with funding from the Late Night Levy. These additional cameras will be issued to door staff at four licensed premises in Regent Street to supplement the existing static town centre CCTV camera system.

For press enquires contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

Notes:
Cheltenham Safe is the crime reduction partnership for the retail and night-time economies in Cheltenham.