Slightly odd case this, and suspect she dodged a lot more than just three fares
How justice caught up with taxi fare-dodger after more than two years
https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news ... rt-2821511
Paige Smith, 20, made off without paying for taxis three times in Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Image: Scunthorpe Telegraph
Justice finally caught up with a taxi fare-dodger after she was at last brought to court for offences dating back more than two years.
But she was delighted after being given a bill of just £132.20 by magistrates.
Paige Smith, 20, of Pasture Street, Grimsby, admitted three offences of making off without paying for taxis.
She was just a youth when she committed the dishonesty matters and had skipped bail in 2017.
She dodged fares of £21.60 in Grimsby on December 12, 2016; £8.60 in Cleethorpes between January 1 and February 28, 2017; and £17 in Grimsby on March 7, 2017. She also admitted failing to surrender to bail at court on July 25, 2017.
Smith was brought before Grimsby Magistrates' Court in custody after being arrested on a warrant.
The magistrates told her: "The offences go back in time but these things catch up with you."
Craig Davy, mitigating, said Smith had now changed her ways in the time that had passed after she previously suffered problems.
Unemployed Smith was ordered to pay £47.20 compensation and £85 costs.
She was clearly pleased to get away so lightly and told the court: "Did I just get a fine? Thank you ever so much. Thank you."
