Novelty limos branded ‘safety risk’

Thursday 6th August 2009, 11:00AM BST.

darryl1Two firms that rent limos, fire engines and prison vans to prom and party-goers have been branded a safety risk.

A Traffic Commissioner described the firms’ owner as an “unreliable and untruthful rogue”. Bilston-based Redhot Rescue and Oddball Limos, are both ‘on hold’ following the damning report.

The firms, which ferry hundreds of revellers to parties, hen nights and proms across the region, have a fleet of novelty vehicles, including a fire engine with its own dancefloor and an ambulance staffed by ‘partymedics.’

But an 11-page report into the businesses, owned by Darryl Williams, revealed a catalogue of breaches of regulations including old fire engines and ambulances still being licensed as emergency vehicles – and therefore not paying tax.

Other problems included vehicles running without the correct licences or MOTs, no listing of Oddball Limos Ltd at Companies House, too many passengers on board and a 22-seater bus that had a brake failure so severe it was banned from the roads.

The report by the Government-appointed commissioner Nick Jones was drawn up, following an application by Mr Williams for a Public Service Vehicle licence for two vehicles kept at Talbot Place and Alexander Industrial Estate, both in Bilston.

The application was officially turned down but prompted scrutiny of his two companies.

Now the Traffic Commissioner has called for a conduct hearing, which could result in the revocation and disqualification of Mr Williams’ other licences.

Mr Jones said: “I find as a fact that Darryl Williams is unreliable and untruthful where it suits his purposes. He has attempted to mislead and confuse.”

But Mr Williams insisted he had taken the vehicles off the road.

He said: “Things are on hold at the minute but we are looking to make improvements.”


  1. 1
    Adam

    This doesn’t sound like a trustworty or safe manner in which to run a business

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  2. 2
    BigD

    Emergency! – Quick call the Partymedics!

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  3. 3
    lil tinka *!*

    i jus say fair play …

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  4. 4
    Andy M

    He was a likeable rogue at school. Atleast he is working for a living and not claiming dole and living at the expense of the taxpayers

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  5. 5
    R

    No Andy M, but he’s breaking the law and putting people’s lives at risk instead.

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  6. 6
    Michael Litoris

    I’m sure I saw that chappy selling gold chains out the back of the Ambulance.

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Mike Hock

    Yeah? I bought one!

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  8. 8
    Benjamin Williams

    Hi, Darryl Williams does not have my sympathy as he has let me down before. I am disgusted as last year, he offered to take me to hospital in a limo as I had to have an operation. Unfortunately,he did not turn up. What dad does not turn up to the hospital to see his child before and after his operation. Which Dad, decides to work at home instead of seeing his child have an operation. I’m glad he never come because he would have risked my life by allowing me to get in the limo. And how ridiculous, having a limo, which is still licensed as an emergency vehicles.

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    sharron jones

    is disgusted he can work all this time and not pay the tax man and not even spear a penny for his children. why should a man like this get a way with it and putting other at risk.

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  10. 10
    snakey

    perfetic benjamin good point there.
    and who wud keep it as a emergency vehicle wen its not a emergency hehe lol and darly need to fink before his actions now he has to pay the consiquences i dont no if i spelt thats right lol but ohwell

    Report abuse



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