Pregnant drug addict fled maternity unit before threatening to STAB a taxi driverhttps://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/st ... ty-1842686Emma Taylor, of Lightwood, escaped from the Royal Stoke University Hospital before taking a taxi to FentonDrug addict Emma Taylor has been jailed after she escaped from custody at hospital before threatening a taxi driver with a knife and making off without paying the fare.
The 30-year-old mum-of-two, who is pregnant, was being recalled to prison when she was taken to The Royal Stoke University Hospital because she complained of feeling unwell.
But she managed to escape when she went to the toilet and got in a taxi outside and asked to be taken to an address in Fenton.
She went inside the house and when she did not come out with the fare the cabbie threatened to call the police. She persuaded him not to and asked him to take her to her parents’ address in Lightwood where she said she would get the cash.
But she tried to get out the cab as it was travelling on the A50. The driver persuaded her not to but the defendant produced a Stanley knife and began swinging it the driver's face two or three times. She threatened to stab him if he continued to ask for cash before she got out and left without paying the fare.
Now Taylor has been jailed for 19 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Prosecutor Paul Spratt said the defendant was arrested on June 23 as she was being recalled to prison.
Mr Spratt said: “She was taken to the custody facility and then to hospital. She was five months pregnant, a drug user, and was complaining of being unwell.
“In the maternity unit she escaped via some toilets. She got in a taxi and asked to be taken to Hollings Street, Fenton. He took her there and she said he should wait while she got the money. He waited 10 minutes and on the third occasion he knocked on the door he said he would call the police. She asked him not to and asked him to take her to Ridge Walk, in Lightwood.
“The defendant tried to get out of a moving vehicle on the A50. She was persuaded not to do that. By now, the driver had decided he was taking her to the police station. She produced a Stanley knife and swung it two or three times in the direction of his face.
“She further threatened him, ‘If you keep asking for money I will stab you’.
“She got out of the vehicle and disappeared.”
Taylor was arrested at the Fenton address the next day.
The taxi driver has been left feeling nervous when working.
Taylor, of Ridge Walk, Lightwood, pleaded guilty to escape, threatening another with a knife and making off without payment.
Stephen Hennessey, mitigating, said the defendant has been addicted to heroin and monkey dust. He said: “She has not tried to hide the fact that was her motivation to attempt to escape from custody. She had a £70 a day drug addiction.
“Her behaviour was inexcusable.”
Judge Paul Glenn told Taylor: “You took the opportunity to escape. You boarded a taxi. The driver was persuaded to take you to a second address where you said he would be paid by your parents.
“When it became plain he wasn’t going to be paid he decided to take you to Longton Police Station.
“Matters took a more sinister turn when you made as if you were going to jump out of a moving vehicle. You took out a Stanley knife and swung it two or three times. It is a horrid weapon. He managed to disarm you and you fled from the vehicle.
“The driver feels nervous and worried when carrying out his job. He was vulnerable. People such as taxi drivers, who provided a valuable public service, deserve the courts’ protection.”
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