Killer taxi driver in forklift training bid

A taxi driver who mowed down a Black Country teenager and dragged him under his cab has applied for a forklift truck course.

The police broke the news to victim Scott Poll's parents Arthur and Sharon, who say they are "disgusted."

Ghulam Hussain, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2006, has also applied for weekend release.

Scott, 17, from Lincoln Road, Stone Cross, West Bromwich, died in February 2006 when he was run over by Hussain's taxi and dragged beneath it for more than a mile along six streets.

His body was later found near the Manor House pub in Hall Green Road, West Bromwich.

Hussain, a 45-year-old married father-of-two, of Grange Road, West Bromwich, was convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court after denying murder and death by dangerous driving but pleading guilty to manslaughter.

He was jailed for three years, which was later extended to five years after a High Court judge ruled that the the original term was "unduly lenient".

"I think it is absolutely and utterly disgusting," Mr Poll said.

"My wife is in bits. He should never be allowed to go behind the wheel of anything ever again after what he has done.

"He has applied for weekend release as well, and we are appalled at that. He should have to serve his time, end of story. This is the kind of pressure we don't need as a family.

"He has done the crime, so he should have to pay the price. It wasn't an accident."

Albion-mad Scott worked in a sandwich bar as well as holding down a matchday job at The Hawthorns and had been hoping to train as a fitness instructor.

Thousands of pounds has been raised in his memory after his family set up a fund to help other people who have lost a relative by providing a respite holiday.