Gary Poland, the taxi driver who transported Axel Rudakubana to the Southport dance class where three young girls were murdered, received £5,002 from a fundraising page set up by a friend, despite having fled the scene amid what he described as 'blood-curdling screams' from the children.
Fundraiser Details and Licence Revocation
The fundraising page, organised by Liam Rice, was intended to support Poland while his vehicle was impounded for forensic examination. It raised £5,002 from 363 donations. The Express understands the funds were released for the stated purpose. Poland, 57, has since had his taxi licence revoked by Sefton Council following a review.
A council spokesperson stated: 'This individual no longer holds a taxi driver licence following a review by the local authority. A decision was taken that this individual did not meet the appropriate standards set out in Sefton Council's taxi licensing policy.' Reasons for licence revocations are not made public, as hearings are held in private.
Poland's Actions on the Day of the Attack
During the Southport Inquiry, Poland admitted he did not call the police until 50 minutes after dropping Rudakubana at the Hart Street dance class on July 29, 2024. Instead, he called his best friend twice and accepted another fare before heading home. He told the inquiry he acted out of 'fear, shock and panic', which he described as 'human emotions' he could not control.
'I regret not helping the children. Their screams were harrowing,' Poland said. He added that he did not know why he accepted the next job, stating he 'didn't really know what he was doing.'
Inquiry Findings and Impact
The inquiry heard that dance teacher Leanne Lucas had already called 999 seconds after the attack began, despite her own injuries, meaning Poland's delay in contacting emergency services did not result in any significant delay in the response. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were murdered by Rudakubana, who was sentenced to life in prison in January 2025 with a minimum term of 52 years.
Poland told the inquiry he has suffered psychologically since the attack and cannot sleep at night. 'I shut my eyes and I see his face, it's there all the time in my head,' he said. He also expressed regret: 'I regret not doing more. I do regret not calling the police sooner and have done my best to explain my actions and thought process on the day within this statement.'
Licensing Standards and Safeguarding
Sefton Council's licensing handbook states that drivers should be in a 'good position to help to keep children and young people safe' and that those who 'feel a child or young person is in serious danger of immediate harm' should call 999. Poland has been approached for comment but has not responded.
