Taxi driver permanently scarred after being bit by passenger A TAXI driver has been permanently scarred after a passenger bit him.
Millie Young has apologised for the “out of character” attack which happened just two days after her mother was diagnosed with cancer.
The 20-year-old admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was sentenced at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.
Lucy Miller, prosecuting, said: “The victim picked the defendant up from the licensed taxi rank in Colchester High Street and requested to go to Clacton.”
Young, of Nayland Drive, Clacton, only had £3 on her for the £37 fare after she confessed to getting “slaughtered” and partying at Atik in the town.
She lost her friend and went to get the taxi.
Mrs Miller said: “She directed him to a secluded car park along Station Road and said she was going to get money. He was concerned he would not get paid and asked for identification.”
The court heard Young refused so he took hold of her handbag.
Young bit his hand and started hitting the rear mirror.
Mrs Miller said: “She then bit him again on the arm causing blood to be drawn. She ran away.”
The driver waited but she did not return and he went to Colchester General Hospital for treatment.
During the struggle a mobile phone was dropped and left and police were able to use it to identify Young.
Young also called police the next morning, after the events of September 24, to claim she had been assaulted. She later admitted the charge.
Mrs Miller said Young told police her “initial instinct was to bite him” and she admitted having “blood around my mouth”.
The driver made a victim impact statement which was read in court.
It stated: “I was left feeling traumatised and constantly having flashbacks.
“I think about the incident every day.
“I now have permanent scars. Laser treatment to reduce visibility is not available on the NHS.”
Raph Piggott, mitigating, said Young had found out about her mother’s cancer two days previously, had been to see her GP to be treated for depression the previous day and was trying to forget what was happening with a night out.
The carer lost her job as a result of the incident.
District Judge John Woollard said: “There was a serious injury.
“It was significantly more serious because this is a taxi driver working late at night carrying people who have had too much to drink like you home.”
Young was sentenced to three months in a young offenders’ institute but the sentence was suspended for 12 months.
She was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and she will be tagged with a three month curfew from 8pm to 8am.
She was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim.
source:
http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co. ... passenger/
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