Taxi Driver Walked Away as Children Screamed… Then Received Thousands in Public Donations
Southport Taxi Driver Who Dropped Killer Made £5,000 from Public Donations to ‘Pay for New Car’ – After He Fled the Scene as He Watched Screaming Children Run for Their Lives
The taxi driver who dropped off Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana before fleeing while screaming children ran for their lives cashed in on £5,000 from public donations to pay for his new car, the Daily Mail can reveal.
Gary Poland, 57, sped away from the scene despite hearing ‘an awful orchestra of blood-curdling screams’ bursting from children as the horrific massacre unfolded at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on July 29 2024.
The cabbie previously revealed that after fleeing, he called his best friend twice and even took another fare before going home and finally calling police 50 minutes later.
Rudakubana, then 17, murdered Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and injured 10 others in a frenzied knife attack at The Hart Space, Hart Street.
Mr Poland, who has now had his taxi licence revoked by Sefton Council, claimed he heard four or five loud bangs and drove away ‘in complete mortal terror and shock’ because he feared Rudakubana had a gun and was shooting people.
Although Mr Poland saw children fleeing, and screaming in terror in his rear–view mirror, he did not stop to help. Detectives leading the case said they would have ‘morally’ expected him to have called police immediately.
Despite telling the Southport public inquiry that he ‘regretted’ not helping the children, the Mail can reveal that Mr Poland made £5,002 from a fundraising page set up just eight days after the tragedy.
The fundraiser, which 363 members of the public donated to, said Mr Poland’s new car had been seized by police for forensics and that he would have to pay the cost of it being impounded from ‘anywhere from three weeks to six months or even a year’.
It added: ‘Gary only recently bought the car, so he has car payments to make, along with all the usual bills.
‘He is quite traumatized by what happened and, like everyone involved that day, he thinks he could have done more. However, no one could have known what was going to happen, so he couldn’t have done anything differently.
‘We don’t know how long his car will be impounded or how long he will be out of work, so £2,000 is just an estimate of how much he will need. All help is greatly appreciated.’
He told the inquiry he owned a white Toyota at the time of the attack.
It is not clear what Mr Poland spent the money on as under police rules an individual should not have to pay storage fees if their vehicle is being used for forensic examination. Mr Poland and his taxi company have been approached for comment.
Sefton Council on Merseyside yesterday confirmed that Mr Poland’s taxi licence has been revoked because he ‘did not meet the appropriate standards’.
Taxi licensing hearings are private and the reasons for a licence revocation would never be made public.
However, the conditions attached to licences issued by Sefton Council state that drivers must be in a ‘good position to help to keep children and young people safe’.
‘If, of course, you feel a child or young person is in serious danger of immediate harm, you should call the emergency police telephone number, 999,’ the rules add.
In September last year, the taxi driver of 27 years told a public inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall that he wished he had called police much sooner.
But he insisted: ‘I did what I did through fear, shock and panic.
‘These are human emotions which I couldn’t control. I regret not helping the children, their screams were harrowing.’
The inquiry was shown a statement Mr Poland made to police, around six hours after the attack.
In it he described the children’s screams as ‘terrifying’ and ‘the most awful sound’.
‘An orchestra of blood–curdling screams filled the air,’ he told police. ‘Scream after scream pierced my ears, the screams sounded like a mix of young and old, male and female.
‘This was terrifying, I was in a state of complete mortal terror and shock.
‘I then saw a massed huddle of children, aged approximately six or seven years old, stumble and run in a panicked hurry out of 34a Hart St. They were screaming, it was like a stampede for their lives.’
Despite this, Mr Poland admitted he did not stop or call police, but instead called his best friend, Julian Medlock, who worked in the garage and spray shop next to the dance studio, because he was worried for his safety.
In that conversation, Mr Poland told Mr Medlock: ‘I heard these fing shots and I just fing shot off Jim… Lucky he didn’t f***ing shoot me, weren’t it?’
Mr Poland claimed at the inquiry he accepted his next job, which came through to him via an App on his mobile phone soon afterwards, ‘by accident’.
‘I took the job, I don’t know why,’ he said. ‘My head wasn’t there, I didn’t really know what I was doing.’
Mr Moss said Mr Poland even engaged in mundane conversation with his female passenger and when a police car sped past them, with its emergency lights flashing and siren blaring, he remarked: ‘He’s in a rush, isn’t he?’
The inquiry heard Mr Poland’s failure to call 999 immediately did not result in a significant delay because dance teacher Leanne Lucas was able to make a call herself moments after the attack began, despite being critically injured by multiple stab wounds.
Chris Walker, director of serious injury at law firm Bond Turner, has now said the three bereaved families he represented ‘welcome the decision’ to revoke Mr Poland’s licence ‘as a necessary step towards securing individual accountability for those whose actions fell below the standards the public should expect’.
Sefton Council said: ‘Mr Poland no longer holds a taxi driver licence following a review into his fitness to hold it by the local authority.
‘The council found he did not meet the appropriate standards.’
A spokesman added taxi licensing hearings are held in private and the precise reasoning for a revocation are not made public.
The Journey to the Dance Studio
The inquiry had heard that Mr Poland, who worked for One Call Taxis, picked up Rudakubana from his home, in Banks, a village around five miles from the seaside town, at 11.31am. He used the fake name ‘Simon’ to book the cab and was wearing a Covid–style face mask and distinctive green hoodie, with the hood pulled up.
Mr Poland, who has been a cab driver for 27 years, said Rudakubana barely spoke during the 14–minute journey but that gave him no cause for concern. However, when the taxi pulled up outside the dance studio, Rudakubana got out without paying. Mr Poland said he remonstrated with him and threatened to call the police, but Rudakubana simply walked away and up the stairs into the studio.
The inquiry was told that sounds of distress were captured on Mr Poland’s dashcam just 29 seconds later. Mr Poland said: ‘I was waiting for my money. I thought I would give him a minute or two, which I did, then I heard all the screams.’
He claimed that he went into ‘panic mode’ after hearing what he thought was gun shots and drove off.
The Tragic Victims
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar were all murdered by 17–year–old Rudakubana. Ten others – eight girls and two adults – were also gravely injured. Rudakubana admitted murder and was jailed for a minimum of 52 years at Liverpool Crown Court, in January last year.
Poland’s Psychological Impact
Mr Poland said he had suffered psychological problems since the attack and no longer picked up fares he didn’t know. ‘I can’t sleep at night,’ he said. ‘I shut my eyes and I see his face, it’s there all the time in my head.’
The Government Response to Youth Crime
In May this year, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced a shake–up to the youth justice system – including reforms which mean parents and guardians could be jailed if found not to have played their role in stopping their children committing a crime.
As part of the plans, parents and carers could face greater responsibility and harsh repercussions for their children who commit crimes and cause anti–social behaviour.
It comes after a damning report found the Southport attack would not have happened if Rudakubana’s parents had done their ‘moral’ duty as they knew their son was hoarding an arsenal of weapons, including machetes, for at least a year but did nothing.
Sir Adrian Fulford, chairing a public inquiry, said their actions, combined with catastrophic failures by police, social services, mental health teams, and other Government agencies, left the teenager free to kill.
The Broader Implications for Taxi Licensing
The revocation of Gary Poland’s taxi licence highlights the responsibilities placed on drivers when transporting passengers, particularly in emergency situations. The conditions attached to licences emphasise the importance of protecting children and young people. The decision to revoke Poland’s licence reflects the council’s view that his actions fell below the required standards.
The case raises important questions about the expectations placed on taxi drivers during emergencies. The balance between personal safety and civic responsibility is complex, particularly in situations involving potential violence. The inquiry’s findings provide context for the council’s decision while acknowledging the fear and shock experienced by Poland.
Community Impact and Public Reaction
The Southport attack had a profound impact on the community, with three young girls losing their lives and many others seriously injured. The tragedy sparked widespread outrage and calls for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents. The role of various agencies, including taxi services, has been examined as part of the broader inquiry into the attack.
The decision to revoke Poland’s licence has been welcomed by the families of the victims as a step towards accountability. The case has highlighted the importance of proper training and clear guidelines for taxi drivers regarding emergency situations. The psychological impact on Poland himself demonstrates the lasting effects such incidents can have on those involved.
The Ongoing Inquiry and Lessons Learned
The public inquiry into the Southport attack continues to examine the various factors that contributed to the tragedy. The examination of different agencies’ responses, including taxi services, provides important lessons for preventing future incidents. The case has prompted discussions about youth justice, parental responsibility, and community safety.
The reforms announced by the government reflect a broader effort to address youth crime and improve public safety. The emphasis on parental responsibility and stronger measures for preventing criminal behaviour aims to create a more effective system for protecting vulnerable individuals.
The Southport attack remains a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of violence on communities. The response from various agencies and the lessons learned will be crucial in preventing similar tragedies in the future. The case continues to highlight the importance of vigilance, proper training, and clear protocols in emergency situations.
