Taxi Driver Online

Somehow think other judges would be less lenient


Thug who sprayed unknown substance in taxi driver's face avoids jail because he's 'turned a corner'

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news ... ce-5960775

The victim suffered a stinging sensation and coughing - but Billy Clifton refused to say what was in the 'deeply unpleasant' spray

A thug sprayed an unknown substance in a cab driver's face - five minutes after leaving an appointment with his probation officer who was working to keep him in check.

Billy James Clifton turned violent when he took offence at being asked for his fare up front, Leicester Crown Court heard.

Andrew Peet, prosecuting, said 23-year-old Clifton was already the subject of two suspended prison sentences for earlier offending when he committed the latest offence.

Mr Peet said that despite the dispute over about the fare, the "public spirited" taxi driver still agreed to take Clifton from the city centre to his destination in the Evington area.

He said: "After alighting from the taxi, the defendant, who had some sort of spray with him - and whatever the spray was - sprayed it directly into the face and eyes of the driver.

"It caused discomfort and stinging and it caused him to cough - it was deeply unpleasant."

Clifton, of Kirkwall Crescent, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, left the scene but was arrested a few days later, on February 15 this year.

Officers found a nasal spray bottle at his home - but he kept quiet in his police interview, refusing to say what substance he had used.

He pleaded guilty to common assault.

The police also seized 20 small bags of cannabis, which Clifton admitted he possessed for personal use.

The court was told the offences put Clifton in breach of a six month jail sentence, suspended for two years, imposed in November 2019 for affray and possessing a blade, as well as an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years, imposed in June 2020 for causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Peet said the defendant had 31 offences on his record, including two for possessing cannabis and one for possessing a CS spray.

Recorder Jason MacAdam said: "The courts have bent over backwards not to send him to prison and here we have another incident of extremely unpleasant behaviour directed towards someone who provides a public service."

Clifton's solicitor/advocate, Helen Johnson, said his bad behaviour was purely down to learning difficulties and mental health issues, which mean he is unable to control his temper.

He was unemployed and receiving a disability allowance.

The recorder said the defendant's mental health would only deteriorate as a result of his use of strong cannabis, known as skunk.

Miss Johnson said that Clifton used cannabis at that time because prescribed medication disagreed with him - but that had since been changed.

She said his mother and partner, who were both in court, confirmed he had completely stopped using the class B drug and did not want it anywhere near his home since becoming a father six months ago.

Fatherhood had helped him turn his life around and he was said to be "engaging well" with the probation service in relation to earlier court orders, she added.

Sentencing, Recorder MacAdam said: "Too many opportunities have been given in the past and this offending was more of the same, it was thoroughly unpleasant."

But he said he accepted Clifton had changed from being "a thoroughly unpleasant individual" since his medication had been sorted out and with the responsibility of fatherhood.

He added: "It's rare for me to say to anyone in breach of not just one suspended sentence, but two, that I will give you another chance. But I am on this occasion."

He said he believed Clifton had "turned a corner."

The recorder said his decision was also influenced by an in-depth psychiatric report on the defendant's mental health disabilities.

But he warned Clifton: "I will reserve any breaches of this order to myself and I will lock you up if you behave like this again."

He imposed a 12 month community order, with a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, as recommended by the probation service.

Clifton was also placed on a three-month electronically-monitored home curfew, between 8pm and 6am.

Interesting comments from the judge.

Let's hope no one he knows is the next victim of this fella.

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IDFIMH