Falmouth teenager acquitted of assaulting taxi driver A teenager accused of drunkenly lashing out at a taxi driver who was demanding his fare has been acquitted at Truro Crown Court.
Zach Telling, now 20, had pleaded not guilty to making off without payment and unlawfully and maliciously wounding 42-year-old Jason Hill in the incident of May 29 last year.
Mr Telling, an economics and finance student at Birmingham City University, whose home is in Boscundle Road, Golden Bank, told the jury he only hit out in self-defence after Mr Hill became aggressive.
The court had heard how the row developed when Mr Telling revealed he did not have any money on him to pay his fare.
David Gilson, a teacher at Falmouth School, and Det Sgt Jonathan Quick told the jury that in their opinion Mr Telling was an “intelligent, pleasant young man who had never shown signs of aggression or malice.”
Det Sgt Quick added that it was the first time in 28 years of police service that he had ever given character evidence on behalf of a defendant.
Defence counsel Robert Linford also read a number of references speaking of Mr Telling's impeccable character.
The jury found Mr Telling not guilty on both charges.
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/99 ... xi_driver/
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