‘I’m a scumbag’ admits thieving taxi driver
A CALLOUS cabbie stole a pensioner’s purse after dropping her off at her South Tyneside care home.
David Miller picked up his 92-year-old victim from Asda in Boldon and took her to Langholm Court in East Boldon.
During the short journey, the woman dropped her purse – which had £80 inside – onto the taxi’s floor, but Miller, 61, picked it up and gave it back to her.
Then, when he was helping take her shopping inside the sheltered accommodation, she dropped the purse again – and this time he pocketed it.
Miller was arrested shortly afterwards and admitted taking the purse.
However, he returned to the police station and denied it – even when police showed him CCTV from the care home of him picking it up off the floor.
Miller, of Hardie Drive, West Boldon, was charged with theft and pleaded guilty at South Tyneside Magistrate’s Court.
He told the probation service that he stole the purse in a “moment of madness”, and thought he was a “scumbag” for doing it.
Jeanette Smith, prosecuting, read a statement from the victim which said: “This has caused me a huge amount of stress and has knocked my confidence.
“I rely heavily on taxis for going out, but now I’m petrified of getting one, in case I see him again.”
The court heard that Miller, a taxi driver for 15 years, will now lose his job and his personal taxi licence.
Mark Richardson, defending, said: “He is deeply ashamed of what he has done and wants to apologise profusely to the victim.
“He has some money troubles and wasn’t bringing home a lot of money at the time – he is 61 and has a mortgage, car payments and a wife to support.”
Magistrates gave him a 12-month community order with 40 hours’ unpaid work, and ordered him to pay £40 costs.
The pensioner’s £80 was found in Miller’s house and returned to her.
Chairman of the bench, Malcolm Grady, said: “This offence was distasteful.
“You were in a position of trust and the lady was vulnerable. You took advantage of this situation.
“She has now lost confidence because of you, and that will last for a long time”
source: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crim ... -1-5068869