Mum-of-two hit taxi driver after night out in BarnstapleA MUM-OF-TWO assaulted a taxi driver after a night out with friends in Barnstaple.
Tamsin Medland, of South Molton, appeared at North Devon Magistrates’ on Friday (November 28) charged with criminal damage and assault by beating.
The court heard that just after midnight on November 1, the 36-year-old was put into a taxi by her friends, who paid the taxi driver £5 to take her to another friends address in the town.
Karen Ball, for the prosecution, told the court that once they arrived at the address at Gould Road, Medland told the taxi driver she was hungry and wanted to get some food.
The taxi driver, Brian Hannam, refused as he had only been given £5.
"She then became aggressive," said Mrs Ball.
"She reached forward, striking him to the left of his head and then pulled at the wing mirror which was left hanging off."
A victim statement was read out in court.
Mr Hannam said: "I am 64 and I am shocked and appalled.
“This has made me consider quitting my job - I feel unsafe."
Zara Svensson, for the defence, told the court that Medland could not remember a lot of what had happened.
The night had been a "light relief in a dark landscape" after she had been made redundant and had lost her home.
The mum-of-two rarely gets to go out, she said.
The court heard that during the night, Medland had been a victim of assault herself and the night had taken a sour turn.
"She can't recall a lot of what happened in the taxi but she remembers the driver saying something about her fancy dress costume – she thinks probably jokingly but this was a catalyst for losing her way," she said.
A probation report was prepared and the court was further told that the defendant has mental health issues and that she was extremely remorseful and embarrassed for what had happened.
Magistrates gave Medland an 18-month conditional discharge and she was ordered to pay £300 in damages and £200 for loss of earnings to the victim.
Read more:
http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/Mum- ... z3KTno1Ee6
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