Taxi Driver Online

Oldbury man who threatened taxi driver with pistol jailed


A 24-year-old Oldbury man who threatened a terrified taxi driver with a pistol after a dispute over a fare has been sent to prison for 16 months.

Judge John Wait told Alex Williams he had placed in great fear a man carrying out his public duty in what was an "extremely vulnerable profession"

He said it was clear Williams had been drinking heavily when he went into his Chester Rise home to get the blank firing gun which he then loaded before producing the weapon in front of the driver.

Williams had left his mobile telephone as security with the driver after travelling in the taxi from Birmingham while he went into his home to get some money.

But, when he returned to the vehicle, he threatened the driver with the gun which resembled an 8mm pistol as he demanded the return of his mobile.

Williams admitted possessing the imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and the Judge ruled only a sentence of immediate custody was appropriate for his actions.

Mr Howard Searle prosecuting said Williams had given the driver his mobile and £5 while he went into the house but, on his return, he suddenly produced the handgun.

The frightened driver believed the gun was real, Mr Searle told Wolverhampton Crown Court, and he felt extremely scared before Williams returned to his home.

The police were immediately alerted and when firearms officers arrived on the scene they searched Williams home and recovered the starting pistol and a number of blank cartridges.

Mr James Mitchell defending said it had been agreed with the driver that Williams would get the balance of the money he owed but he then claimed the man wanted extra cash.

He had consumed a large amount of alcohol - a quarter of a bottle of vodka, a quarter of a bottle of bacardi and several pints of lager - and he was "certainly the worse for wear."

Williams bitterly regretted his actions, stressed Mr Mitchell, for something that had been "totally out of character."

source: http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/

Lets hope he gets the Blackpool donkey treatment from his new cell mate

Really think the message has got through to those with the white wigs.

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IDFIMH

But will it make a difference?......