£40 cleaning bill after mum gives birth in cab

A Redcar mum gives birth in cab then receives bill to clean the vehicle. Two days after the incident the cab driver turned up at their family home and presented them with the cleaning bill of £40.

The woman went into labour in the early hours so her partner called a cab to take her to hospital.
The 22 year old mum said: “My partner told them it was maternity and when the driver came he had plastic sheeting on the front seat and said it was fine to sit there.

“By the time we got to hospital the baby was coming and five midwives dashed out and I had to deliver him in the cab.” But two days later the cab driver turned up at the couple’s home and presented them with a £40 cleaning bill.

The mum-of-three said: “I was mortified. He knew I was going to maternity and had put sheets on the front seat. “We’re on benefits and £40 is a lot of money.”
The driver who is responsible for cleaning his own cab as part of his contract with the taxi firm said: “Someone’s got to pay for it. I don’t think I’m being nasty.”
Owners of the firm said the driver had the right to pass on his bill to the family in accordance with a council bylaw.