Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver 'stabbed five times'

Two men who stabbed a taxi driver five times in an unprovoked attack while on early release have been sentenced to a total of 15 years' detention. Kirk Preston, 21, and Steven Scott, 18, attacked John Bellingham after he picked them up in his cab in Paisley.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that despite his severe injuries, the taxi driver drove himself hospital. Preston and Scott denied attacking Mr Bellingham at about 0300 BST in Inchinnan on 29 September last year.

During the four-day trial the 42-year-old said he had picked the pair up outside Gleniffer Court in Paisley and was told to drive into Banchory Avenue in Inchinnan.

He told the court how he had been directed up a dark lane towards garages when he was told by one of the accused to stop. He said: "Then I heard the instructions 'stab him' coming from behind me.

"I never even got the chance to say how much the fare was. I felt as if my shoulders were getting punched. "I managed to get out of the car. My shirt was wet and I felt breathless. "

The court heard that both his attackers had convictions for carrying a knife, while Preston, from Erskine, had convictions for assault and robbery.

Passing sentence, Lord Carloway told the pair: "This was a wholly unprovoked attack on a taxi driver going about his business. "The motive in this case is unclear and you showed little remorse for your actions which could have resulted in Mr Bellingham's death."

The judge described Preston as "a significant danger to the public". He was jailed for nine years and six months and will be monitored in the community for five years after his release.

Scott, who has fewer previous convictions, was sentenced to five years and four months detention and ordered to be supervised for three years after his release.

Both men will begin their sentences after serving the remainder of their previous sentences. Preston still has 13 months to serve, while Scott has 80 days remaining. Joe Barr, defending Preston, said his client - who suffers from multiple sclerosis and dyslexia - maintains he was innocent.

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IDFIMH

Its always hard to convince a jury of your innocense when a man has a knife wound in his back.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

My bet is these guys were already institutionalized to such an extent that they couldn’t wait to be locked-up. The cabby just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

So they're not just evil ba$tards who carried out an unprovoked attack on an innocent victim?

Do not try to excuse their behaviour. I lost a brother to scum like them.

I forgot you condone unprovoked violence, in fact, I believe you have been convicted of such. That explains your pathetic comment.

Personally i cant see his comment as condoning their behaviour, i read it as he thinks they are so used to the way of life in the clink that they go out and commit crime in order to go back, that should be seen as a flaw in our prison system surely, however imo these scum BUSTARDS ought to have the keys thrown away!!!!!

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Maybe if you had looked at the bigger picture you would see that someone who is institutionalized should not be let out - period - or not until they are fully rehabilitated back into society. The fact is the cabby was their ticket home – back to prison.

At no point did I say they were not “evil ba$tards who carried out an unprovoked attack on an innocent victim”.

Nor did I “try to excuse their behaviour”.


And this last part is just what you want to believe John “I forgot you condone unprovoked violence, in fact, I believe you have been convicted of such. That explains your pathetic comment”.

No John this explains your mind set. You obviously feel very threatened by any change you have no control over and this probably has something to do with your loss. Here’s a little advice; accept your loss and stop worrying about things you have no control over- move on.

BTW, your self-pity is pathetic.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Out again & back in again!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-16988603

Third time this guy's been locked up. last two times while he was out on licence. I would suggest a lobotomy for this uberned but then the state would have to care for him. Bring back hanging anyone?

Theres a lot to be said for providing some real punishment such as hard labour I think half of these wassocks would think twice about getting themselves banged up again and perhaps the streets would be a lot safer

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Sounds like a good one to never let out to me.