Taxi driver punched by fare dodgerA TAXI driver was punched by a fare-dodging passenger while an accomplice tried to steal the cabbie's money belt during the confrontation, a court heard.
Adam Drewett, 29, of Stanley Street, Grimsby, admitted assaulting Mohammed Shariff on September 4.
Aiden Watson, 19, of Corporation Road, admitted attempting to steal a money belt from him.
Both admitted making off without paying for a taxi fare.
Gordon Stables, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that the pair failed to pay for a taxi fare when they were dropped off and tried to get out while the doors were still locked.
The driver challenged them about the money owed but Drewett became aggressive and asked him: "Who do you think you are talking to? I'll smash your face in."
He got out of the car as the driver unlocked the taxi, ran round and started hitting him on the head.
Watson, who was in the back of the taxi, tried to take advantage of that and attempted to remove the money belt from around the driver's waist but without success.
"The taxi driver drove the vehicle off as Watson fell off from it," said Mr Stables. They were later arrested.
Drewett had convictions for 61 offences, including being jailed for three-and-a-half years in 2009 for robbery and perverting the course of justice, jailed for three years for burglary in 2011 and locked up for two years for burglary in 2013. Watson had convictions for two offences, assaulting police and criminal damage.
Andrew Bailey, mitigating, said Drewett had spent about five months in prison after being recalled to custody for breaching his licence.
Ghaff Khan, representing Watson, said his client had a very limited criminal past.
Recorder Paul Isaacs told the pair: "Taxi drivers are not there to be taken advantage of in whatever circumstances. They are performing a public service. They expect to be paid and they are entitled to be paid."
Drewett was given a one-year conditional discharge. Watson was given a 28-day 8pm to 7am curfew.
Read more:
http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Taxi- ... z3YaCyHyQV
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