Taxi Driver Online

UK Newsquest Regional Press - This is Essex

July 12, 2006 Wednesday

HEADLINE: Colchester: Man jumped on taxi and stared at driver

Evening gazette.

A taxi driver was given a shock when a man jumped on to his car bonnet and sat on all fours staring at him through the windscreen.

He had been trying to get through Colchester High Street when he came across a group of men fighting in the road, a court heard. As he was forced to stop, Sammy Jefford leapt on to the bonnet of his taxi and sat down. Colchester magistrates heard he jumped off after a few minutes and started pushing the panels at the side of the vehicle, before getting back on the bonnet on all fours, staring at the driver.

The driver then called police.

Sharon More, prosecuting, said Jefford was arrested just before 3am on September 21. After he was taken to a police station, he struggled and spat blood on to a PC's cheek, she added. The 21-year-old has previous convictions for disorderly behaviour and was on police bail for an affray matter at the time of the offence. He admitted criminal damage and common assault at court on Friday. He had been due to stand trial for the matters today.

Evelyn Hicks, mitigating, said due to mental health problems, Jefford had only just managed to understand why he is guilty of the offences in the eyes of the law. She added he was being pursued by a group of men and felt the only place he would be safe was on the bonnet of the taxi.

Magistrates adjourned for reports and released Jefford, of St Peter's Street, Colchester, on unconditional bail.
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Oh well that's all right then.

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IDFIMH