A REVIEW into the cost of city council officers using taxis on work-related business could be widened.

The move comes after it was revealed just over £11,000 had been spent by the authority over the last three years on ferrying council officers around Hull by taxi.

The average fare was £7.78.

According to a report, most journeys involved "monitoring and reporting" work, closely followed by disability issues caused by illness.

Councillor Simone Butterworth, chairman of the council's value for money scrutiny committee, said: "We have all got concerns about the extent of this."

She said while it was clear many journeys were necessary because they involved social workers accompanying vulnerable children on visits to schools, there were still questions to be asked about the issue.

She said when council budgets were being cut, every taxi journey needed to be justified.

Councillor Abi Bell said: "We need a wider review of staff transport costs across the council.

"We need to be looking at the whole issue, not just taxis.

"From a value for money perspective, we need to be looking at rail and air travel and hotel costs for staff attending conferences."

Councillors also questioned why the cost of officers using taxis had more than doubled in 2012-13 compared with the previous 12 months.

Last year, the total cost was £7,134 as a result of 848 journeys, while the figure for 2011-12 was £3,327 after 525 recorded journeys.

Councillor John Abbott said the data provided to the committee also lacked clear details on destinations and why taxis had been used in the first place for particular trips.

Graham Hall, the council's transport manager, said social workers accompanying young children on visits to schools and contact sessions represented the majority of journeys incurred by officers.

"It would not be right to expect young people to travel by taxi on their own," he said.

Mr Hall also claimed the number of council staff using their own cars for work purposes had reduced in recent years as a result of the cost of motoring and the introduction of car parking charges for staff in some areas.

"A lot of people now come into work by bus but there will be occasions when someone without access to a car has to carry some equipment with them to somewhere and a taxi is the only option."

Councillor Tom McVie said there needed to be a "sense of proportion" applied to any debate about staff taxi costs.

"It seems to me to be entirely appropriate for people to use taxis for small journeys.

"If you divide 848 journeys by the number of staff we have, it is really a microscopic number that we are talking about every year, even if the figure is bigger than the previous year.

"People are entitled to decide to stop using their car to get to work if they want to and we can't stop them doing that unless they happen to have a job that is already identified as being one which requires essential car use.

"I think we need to put this into proportion."

POLICE have warned of the dangers of hoax calls after an armed response team was deployed to Hull's Beverley Road.

An investigation has been launched after the caller wasted police time on Thursday night and diners were ordered to stay in a nearby restaurant for their own safety.

Armed response officers were sent to the St Leonard's Road area after the man called police just before 8.30pm.

He reported threats to kill were being made to a woman by a man in a communal area at an address in the road.

It was later revealed to be untrue after an armed response unit was deployed, along with support from the Humberside Police helicopter and dog handlers.

Daniel Cuffe, 20, was looking after his six-month-old daughter when police burst into the block of flats where he lives.

He said: "There were all these police officers and they raided every room but there was nobody there.

"It's a good job my daughter isn't older because she would have been frightened."

Chief Inspector Ed Cook said: "A thorough investigation will commence into the source of the hoax call, given the fear it caused to the general public and the significant amount of police resources used.

"Making hoax calls such as this and wasting police time is a serious offence that can lead to a prison sentence."

A number of roads the area were cordoned off as a precaution and diners in the nearby Raj Pavilion restaurant were asked to remain inside.

She said: "The officer guarding the door would not reveal what was going on outside but said the door must remain locked and no one was allowed to leave.

"We were locked in for about an hour before police started escorting people to their cars if they were parked across the road or if they were heading north on Beverley Road. However, my car was parked further away so the police would not let me go at this point and would not let me stand outside.

"The restaurant was quite busy and, although everyone was calm, we were quite concerned about the situation.

"Everyone was happy to leave once we were allowed to do so and as we left, ambulances and a number of police vehicles remained at the scene."

Roads were reopened and patrols stood down at about 10.45pm after the alleged victim was located and was unaware of any threats.

Anyone who has any information, or knows the identity of the caller, should call 101, referring to log 682 of April 18.

THE victim of a knifepoint robbery brought his attackers to justice when he recognised one of them from a photograph in a neighbour's flat.

The robbers had plotted to rob Luke Gillet-Jones, 23, at his Beverley flat over a week-long period.

Three men barged into his flat, repeatedly assaulted him and held a knife to his throat, demanding he hand over all his cash.

The victim had to pretend he was unconscious at one stage to stop the attack.

The day after, he visited his neighbour Martin Jennison.

When Mr Gillet-Jones saw a photo of Mr Jennison's son Craig, he knew it was one of his attackers.

Recorder Brian Cox QC has now jailed Craig Jennison and Reece Holdsworth for a total of 12 years.

A third man was not apprehended.

Prosecutor Jharna Jobes told Hull Crown Court the victim "feared for his life".

Recorder Cox QC told them: "This was a robbery committed in someone's home and it involved the use of a weapon.

"Substantial violence was deployed and there was a degree of planning in the sense that the target was discussed some days in advance and in order to commit the offence you travelled from Hull to Beverley.

"A serious aspect of what you did is the amount of violence you deployed and it took place late in the evening."

Five days earlier Olivia Jennison, 21, had gone to the victim's home asking for a cigarette.

She told her cousin Craig Jennison, 24, and her former partner Reece Holdsworth, 21, about his home and the gang plotted the robbery.

The two men got a taxi from Hull to drop them at the flat on October 30 last year.

Mr Gillet-Jones heard the buzzer to his flat at 11.20pm and when he answered the door three people burst into his property shouting "where's your money?"

They dragged him around the room by his clothing and Craig Jennison threw him against a stereo.

He shouted at Holdsworth to hand him a knife.

The victim was kicked and punched up to 30 times and pretended he was unconscious on the floor.

Craig Jennison grabbed him, pulled him to his knees and held a knife to his throat.

He then moved the knife across his victim's face and demanded to be told where his money was.

Craig Jennison continued assaulting him until Holdsworth pulled him off.

As he left, Jennison told Mr Gillet-Jones: "Tell anyone and I will come back for you."

After spotting the photograph the next day, Mr Gillet-Jones called the police. His property was found at Craig Jennison's home.

Recorder Cox QC said: "Craig Jennison, you were the oldest, you have a bad record for violence and I'm satisfied you took the lead part in what happened and were responsible for most of the violence.

"Olivia, your part was to essentially to provide the information. You expressed some reservations about what was going to happen but you did far too little, I'm afraid, to stop it."

Craig Jennison, of Fulmar Close, Bransholme, was jailed for eight years and Holdsworth, of Saner Street, west Hull, for four years.

Olivia Jennsion, of 20th Avenue, north Hull, has been given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

• Crime news for Hull and East Yorkshire

HULL FC winger Jason Crookes will appear in court to face charges that he assaulted two women in a city bar.

The 22-year-old has been summonsed to appear at Hull Magistrates' Court in June, where he will face two charges of common assault.

It is alleged he slapped one woman and punched another on the dancefloor of Soho Bar in Posterngate, city centre, in December last year.

Mr Crookes was voluntarily interviewed by detectives after a photograph of a man wanted in connection with the assault appeared as part of the Mail's Caught On Camera campaign in January.

Police released an image of the suspect, which was taken on a mobile phone inside the bar.

After three months of further inquiries, detectives this week served a court summons on Mr Crookes.

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police confirmed: "Police have served a summons on a 22-year-old man. He is due to appear at Hull Magistrates' Court in June charged with two assaults."

Each charge of common assault carries a maximum prison sentence of six months.

Mr Crookes is the squad for tomorrow's Challenge Cup tie at the KC Stadium against North Wales Crusaders.

It will be his 23rd birthday.

Yesterday, he trained with the team at the club's Elite Training Centre base at YPI, on Chanterlands Avenue, west Hull.

Mr Crookes signed a three-year deal with the club in September last year from the Bradford Bulls.

After he was questioned by police following the image in Caught On Camera, fans expressed their shock on the social networking site Twitter.

Michael Hood wrote: "Has Jason Crookes got his career at Hull off to a bad start?"

Karl Hutchinson wrote: "Is this new FC signing Jason Crookes in HDM today?"

Tom Nurden said: "Hope the picture in the Hull Daily Mail isn't Jason Crookes."

A spokesman for Hull FC declined to comment.

HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock says his side have made changes to their calls in a bid to confuse St Helens in today's Challenge Cup clash.

The Robins ran out 22-14 winners when Saints visited MS3 Craven Park in Super League just a fortnight ago.

And the Australian admits that has led to him tweaking parts of his game-plan in a bid to progress.

"Basically, we know how they are going to play and they are going to know how we are going to play," Sandercock told the Mail.

"There are a couple of little things we have done differently.

"We have changed the calls a little bit, not much, but there are a few things we want to do differently."

Whilst Rovers are strengthened by the return of first-choice stand-off Travis Burns, who missed the league clash through suspension, Saints have Ade Gardner and Tony Puletua back in action.

Sandercock feels the return of all those players will make it a different game, but says his side will enter the contest with confidence.

"We go into the game with some confidence, that's for sure.

"We know we can win, it's just a matter producing a good, consistent 80 minutes," he said.

"Maybe there is a little bit more pressure on the players because it's sudden death, but we need to compete the best we can.

"It's about us doing the best for the club and going as far as we can in the Challenge Cup.

"It's not just another game of rugby, it's sudden death.

"It doesn't matter if you play the Gloucester All Golds or St Helens, it's sudden death and that makes it that bit different."

STEVE Bruce accepted his Hull City side had wilted under the pressure of chasing the Premier League after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Bristol City last night.

The Tigers' bid to pull nine points clear in second place met an unexpected obstacle in the shape of Bristol City at the KC Stadium, as an opponent already condemned to League One held firm in a dour stalemate.

A point could yet be enough to confirm promotion to the Premier League today if Watford lose to Blackburn and Crystal Palace fail to beat Leicester, but City are again peering over their shoulders after an inexplicably flat performance.

The Tigers can still guarantee promotion themselves by winning one of their final two games against Barnsley and Cardiff, and Bruce is calling for cool heads to return.

"There was a bit of nerves, a bit of edginess, perhaps trying too hard to do too well," said the City boss. "We knew it was a big important game for us, but we haven't handled the occasion. We have to be honest about that.

"We got wrapped up in the whole thing. Where I thought we played with a freedom at Ipswich last weekend, unfortunately we forgot how to play the game with all the expectation.

"We didn't do enough. The reason why we've got where we are is the ability in the team to get it down and play with freedom. On the night, the whole thing caught up with us.

"We'll be better next week because, to be brutally honest, we couldn't get any worse."

City could hardly have picked a worse moment to serve up arguably their most disjointed performance of Bruce's reign.

After taking almost an hour to find their first shot on target, the Tigers only genuine chance saw David Meyler denied by goalkeeper Tom Heaton in stoppage time.

An anxious mood was apparent all around the KC Stadium, but Bruce insisted his troops needed to show greater resolve.

"You've got to deal with that," he said. "We're going for promotion so of course the crowd are going to be a little bit edgy.

"They could see the players were getting edgy too and the whole thing becomes a difficult evening for us.

"Who knows, it could be the point we need to get us over the line. You never know.

"That means we just need one more win. We've made it a little bit more difficult for ourselves but we're still in a wonderful position."

City's seven-point advantage could be reduced to four points if third-placed Watford win at home to Blackburn this afternoon, but failure to win could also confirm promotion to the Premier League for Bruce's men.

The City boss added: "I'm going to Barnsley and Nottingham Forest so I'm sure I'll be kept updated one way or the other.

"We still haven't got to rely on other people and it's still in our hands.

"We're seven points clear and if we win next week we're promoted. That's still a great opportunity whatever happens."

HULL KR second rower Cory Paterson wants his first taste of the Challenge Cup to be a sweet one and not wait a year for a second bite.

The 25-year-old Australian admits the hairs on the back of his neck stood up when coach Craig Sandercock played clips of Rovers' famous 10-5 win over Hull in the 1980 final.

And Paterson was blown away when he saw 95,000 fans from the city of Hull at Wembley on May 3.

Rovers last appeared in the cup final in 1986 when they lost to Castleford by a point.

Now, Paterson wants to play his part in ending that 27-year wait to return to the Challenge Cup final.

"Whenever there is a long period of time between major final appearances, you want to be one of the players that ends the drought," he told the Mail.

"It would be nice to have a good cup run but we have to take it game by game and hope to have luck with injuries.

"It's a long time to wait for the next bite of the cup. If we lose, we're out and we'll have to lick our wounds and wait another year.

"Craig showed us a few clips and it was great to see the emotion and passion. The players played with a massive crowd cheering them on and on their return to Hull.

"It created a buzz with me and I'm sure the other players feel the same way, especially the local blokes who have grown up with this competition."

This is a chance for Paterson to add his name to the ever growing list of Australians to play in the prestigious cup competition.

Paterson hasn't experienced a knock-out competition since taking part in the Aboriginal knock-out competition for indigenous teams.

It falls short when compared to the Challenge Cup, but he is keen to soak up everything associated with the competition.

"The cup is highly regarded in this country," he said. "It has a rich tradition and I'm proud to be a part of it. I've bought into it and I'll be giving it the respect it deserves.

"It would be massive for the fans as well if we do well in it.

"The overseas players who have been at Rovers a few years are very passionate about it too. It would be nice to win it, but it is a very hard competition."

With it being a sudden-death knock-out game, Paterson expects the intensity to be cranked up, more so than for a Super League game.

Two weeks ago, Rovers beat Saints 22-14 at MS3 Craven Park, but says that counts for very little today against a St Helens side that reached 11 successive cup semi-finals before Wigan ended that run in 2011.

Paterson knows they face a Saints side desperate to win.

"This game will be a bit faster and more physical because it's do-or-die," said Paterson.

"We know we are in for a tough test after beating them so recently.

"They are a good side and we are ready. That win has given us an air of confidence but it can work the other way.

"Saints will want to exact revenge and make up for that league loss.

"They will see a cup win against us as the perfect way to get back at us.

"By no means will we be complacent against them."

Saints have a terrible record at MS3 Craven Park. They haven't won in east Hull since beating Rovers 24-18 in the 2008 cup quarter-finals.

If Rovers are to advance to the fifth round, they are going to have to start well as wins have come when the Robins have got off to a flyer.

"We need to start well with a lot of intent in defence and stay in the arm-wrestle," Paterson said.

"The last thing we need is for us to be chasing our tail and for Saints to blow us away.

"It's not too difficult to see that we need to shore up our defence a bit.

"We know we can score points because at Huddersfield we scored 30, but leaked 50.

"We need to work on a few aspects of our defence and take that into the cup game.

"We've addressed them and we'll be looking to nullify Saints as best we can. We'll find out soon enough if we have improved or not."

PETER Gentle says the Challenge Cup needs to take precedence again after what he calls a watering down of the competition in recent years.

An avid watcher of the Wembley showpiece in his formative years growing up in Australia, Gentle admits the cup fever which used to take hold just as much Down Under as it did in England, has been missing to some extent in recent years.

Pointing to his team selection for tomorrow's game against North Wales Crusaders as evidence of his own approach to the cup, the Hull FC coach says there is no chance of him treating the competition with anything but maximum respect.

"The cup used to be very popular back home, just as it used to be very popular over here too," Gentle told the Mail.

"I think the cup has been watered down a little bit in the last few years and it needs to take precedence again. It is a separate competition to Super League, but it is unique to rugby league in this country and there is nothing like it in the NRL.

"The fact it is a knockout competition makes it exciting. The fans enjoy it and we do too. The fact it doesn't matter where you are sitting on the ladder is great, each round is a fresh start for everyone and all the teams are equal.

"The cup is a priority this week and my team selection will show that."

Gentle's squad for the visit of Championship One opponents North Wales Crusaders is one of youth and experience.

But rather than rest several of his key men, the changes have been enforced thanks to injuries to the likes of Richard Whiting, Mark O'Meley, Tom Briscoe and Shannon McDonnell.

Taking their place, there is a first appearance of the season for Danny Nicklas and James Cunningham, while Jack Briscoe gets a first call-up since Gentle arrived at the club.

Adding necessary experience, Paul Johnson and Kirk Yeaman return from injury, while Jamie Shaul will start at full-back in his second professional appearance.

"I've not rested anyone this week," added Gentle. "There are a few guys I cannot afford to risk who have knocks, but nobody is rested and this game is win at all costs, that's what makes the cup so great.

"It sends a bad message resting your players in the cup. We respect anyone who pulls the jumper on.

"We have prepared all week like we would for a Super League side and I won't be compromising ourselves this week, that sends a bad message."

Gentle is desperate to lead his side out at Wembley on August 24, but first of all he's eager to experience a maiden win in the cup.

Struggling with injuries last season, Hull were dumped out of the cup at the first hurdle by Huddersfield Giants.

"Last year it was all very new to me and we were not in very good shape after Easter. This year we are in a much better place," he explained.

While the cup takes priority, the Black and Whites coach has this week also turned his attention to finding a replacement for Brett Seymour, who has been released from his deal.

Calling it an on-going process, Gentle says the club are continually looking to bring in a new half-back, but admits it may not be possible for this season.

"I don't know whether we will be able to do anything this year with what is available," said Gentle.

"I don't think there is a lot out there and we may have to explore loan options.

"When we sign someone we'll let people know and until then I won't be commenting on any names or identifying who we are talking to."

HE LOOKS pretty good for his age, given that he is officially the oldest man in the world.

After leafing through his documents recently, Chris King realised his birth certificate has him down as being born in 1858 – making him 154.

In reality, Mr King was born in 1958 and is 54.

However, he is now making a cheeky claim to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for back-dated pension money amounting to almost £400,000.

Mr King, of Brantingham Walk, west Hull, said: "I only discovered the mistake a couple of days ago as I was going through some documents.

"This is a legally binding document, so I am going to approach the DWP to see about getting 90 years of pension backdated.

"I sat down and worked out I should be getting £375,000 and I'm going to fight to get this.

"I have never come across anything like this before but it isn't my mistake."

Mr King, a security officer, was adopted when very young, which is why the mistake has only just come to light.

His twin sister's birth certificate has the right year, making him 100 years older than her.

Mr King does see the funny side.

He said: "I do find it rather humorous and it is strange to think I am probably the oldest man in the world.

"At my next birthday I'm not sure how I'm going to fit 155 candles on to my cake.

"I might write to the Queen and see if she will send me a card next time."

The DWP has dismissed Mr King's attempts to claim any backdated pension.

A spokesman said: "We would not entertain the idea of giving him a backdated pension.

"It is clear he isn't that age and it is an obvious mistake.

"He needs to go to his local register office and get the mistake corrected."

Bridlington has turned to Doctor Who's oldest enemy in a bid to bring tourists to the town.

The town council has unanimously agreed in principle to adopt 17-year-old Billy Wilkie's replica of a Dalek, but will allow the final say to go to the finance committee.

Billy said they might not be able to call the new tourist weapon a Dalek because of potential copyright issues with the BBC. However they could get away with "Darlek" or "Dalek replica".

"What I want to be able to do is help Bridlington's tourism figures," he said.

Billy crouches inside pushing the Dalek along with his feet while looking through the black upper panels.

There is also a voice moderator fitted inside.

Bob Hillery, president of the Bridlington Tourism Association, said: "It is definitely something unusual for the town and could be a good draw."

A SERIAL robber targeted a vulnerable taxi driver and assaulted him in his car until other drivers came to his aid.

Daryl Buttle, 22, threatened to stab his victim and repeatedly kicked him until he handed over his takings, his sat-nav and the car's computer equipment.

Moments before the assault, Buttle had tried to withdraw money from a cash point in Bransholme to pay the driver.

He was swiftly caught when the police viewed the bank's CCTV footage.

It was Buttle's fifth robbery in the city.

In a victim impact statement read to Hull Crown Court, the driver, Mentor Mulgeri, said: "As a result of the incident I feel very scared and vulnerable.

"I don't want to carry on doing this job but I have to in order to earn a living."

Buttle had earlier booked a car at 57 Taxis in Hull's Cottingham Road following a night out in city bar Fusion.

He got into Mr Mulgeri's taxi with a mother and her son, with whom he had been out drinking, and asked to be taken to Bransholme.

Buttle took the woman's credit card and went to the cash point at the North Point Shopping Centre to withdraw some money. When he was unable to do so, he returned to the car and assaulted Mr Mulgeri and stole his takings.

Prosecutor Jayne Bryan said: "The complainant was shocked to hear a loud thud on the window.

"The defendant told him to open the car door and shouted at his companions to get out of the car.

"He opened the car door and began kicking the complainant to the head and shoulder area as he was sat in the car.

"He shouted 'give me the money or I will stab you'. The complainant was genuinely frightened for his life."

Two other taxi drivers who were in the area saw what happened and called the police as Buttle made off.

The court heard Buttle has 70 previous convictions and committed his first robbery at the age of 12.

He has been jailed for four years for his latest offence.

Judge Mark Bury told him: "You have an extremely bad record.

"You were convicted in 2010 of two robberies and both these incidents included threats to cause significant harm or to kill the victims concerned.

"I accept you hadn't planned to rob this hapless taxi driver but nevertheless, once in his car when you couldn't get money from a cash machine to pay the fare, you behaved appallingly.

"You banged on his door and when he opened it, you kicked him to the head. You threatened to stab him with a knife.

"The taxi driver was truly frightened and you stole a significant amount from him."

IT wasn't what Hull City fans had hoped for, or even expected, but still the Tigers have taken another step closer to the Premier League.

It may only have been a small step and not the large stride which many had anticipated, but you can't underestimate the importance of that point.

Sitting in second place and seven points clear of Watford, who only have nine points left to play for, it's still in the hands of the Tigers and all the pressure remains on Watford.

In the grand scheme of things it could prove to be a massive point.

City didn't play well and there's no question they didn't deserve more than the point they gained.

But there again, they didn't deserve to lose either and Bristol City never really looked like they would win the game, but neither did City.

All credit to Bristol City, who came and had a go and did themselves proud when they could have just rolled over after being relegated. The Tigers just expected things to happen for them and you have to gain the respect from the opposition, not just turn up and think you've already earned it.

It is the first time this season I think it has happened, but manager Steve Bruce just got it wrong for me in terms of his selection.

I was surprised Ahmed Fathi didn't start the game, although I understood why Bruce wanted an engine in the middle to drive things.

But the game was crying out for Fathi or Tom Cairney to come on in the second half. Bristol were open from the first minute and wanted to play that sort of game.

The opportunity was there for City to pass the ball between the spaces and work their way through the opposition.

Fathi or Cairney could have helped them do that.

Instead, Bruce switched two strikers for two strikers.

The problem was the strikers were isolated all game.

Switching the players up front wasn't going to change that.

It needed fresh legs and a new creative outlet in midfield.

The positives are it is still in the Tigers' hands and a win from their last two games will make promotion certain.

That said, what the point last night does is pile the pressure on Watford because a defeat for them against Blackburn and anything but a win for Crystal Palace and City are up before kicking another ball, and that can only be welcome news.

I HAVE no doubt the entire Watford team will have spent last night biting their finger nails watching City.

Whether they were sat at home, or watching together in a hotel, the Watford players will have spent a lot of nervous energy urging on Bristol.

They will be happy with what they saw and the result – but the Tigers still edged another point ahead of them, and with a seven-point gap, it is now their turn to see if they can handle the pressure.

They now play twice before City are next in action, and there is still a good chance that the Tigers will be promoted before they face Barnsley on Saturday.

I've heard suggestions from some fans that would spoil it a little, as they would rather City went up at Barnsley so they can celebrate with the players.

Trust me, that's nonsense. All that matters is getting promotion, it doesn't matter how it comes, and I'd take going up watching other results today.

Watford face a massive week now, playing Blackburn today and then Leicester on Friday, so let's see if they have got the bottle for it.

They'll be kicking themselves now at how they allowed the Tigers to re-establish a big lead over them having won at the KC to close within a point at the start of the month.

That recent form suggests to me that they have not been handling the pressure well and are struggling.

When we went up to the Premier League we went to Ipswich knowing we needed a win to have a chance of automatic promotion.

The difference back then was we had come from nowhere to give ourselves a chance of getting promotion, whereas Watford have been in contention for some time.

We didn't feel the pressure back then like Watford will now, because we were happy with a play-off place.

Maybe because of the situation they find themselves in Watford will already be settling for the play-offs – and worrying that their great season could dwindle away.