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Woman punches taxi driver and damages wing mirror in row over fare
A boozing woman punched a taxi driver and damaged his car during a dispute over when her party were going to pay the fare.
The victim was asked if he would make a second drop off as part of the journey and he asked if they had the money to pay for the trip.
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard how front passenger Shannon Jowett told him how he would get his money following the second drop off.
Not accepting this, the driver refused to take the women any further and the 18-year-old began being abusive before damaging a wing mirror, punching the driver and kicking him in the leg.
District Judge Andrew Meachin, who presided over the case, handed Jowett a conditional discharge and gave her a ticking off about the incident.
He said: "I hope that hearing the facts read out again today have appalled you. It wasn't very nice behaviour, was it?
"You were drinking with friends. You were abusive towards the driver, you damaged his car, punched him and kicked him in the leg.
"Three young ladies can be as vicious as three young men.
"You are of previous good character, you have lost that now and that may affect you in the future. You showed remorse and you pleaded guilty straight away."
The court heard how the incident took place on February 13, at 3.40am in Derby city centre.
Ben Payne, prosecuting, said: "The defendant got in the front seat and her two friends got into the rear of the taxi. They asked if he could make two drops for the parties.
"At this point, he apologises to them, said it wasn't personal and asked if they had the money with them.
"The defendant stated he was to take the other two girls first and when he arrived at her address he would get paid. He couldn't agree to this."
Mr Payne said the defendant began shouting at him and went on to call him a fat ****. She got out of the taxi and slammed the door shut.
She went on to damage a wing mirror. The taxi driver then got out the car and began to follow them.
Mr Payne said: "Whilst doing so he was on the phone to the police. The defendant said 'go away you fat ****, you can't follow me'.
"He told her she needed to wait for the police to arrive. He took hold of her coat jacket telling her she had to stop there until police arrived.
"She punched him on the right side temple. He let go of the coat he was holding on to. The defendant kicked him to the left shin with her right foot very hard."
The court heard police arrived and the defendant was arrested. The taxi driver took paracetamol to relieve the pain.
A victim impact statement was also read out during the hearing which revealed the taxi driver lost pay.
Peter Jones, mitigating, said Jowett should get full credit for her early guilty pleas.
He said: "She is a very young lady who is a carer for her stepfather who is blind. She reads for him, prepares food, assists with washing.
"It was a rare occasion for her to go out and she admits because of the alcohol it got out of hand. During her interview, it was clearly recorded she was apologetic for her behaviour and said it was disgraceful.
"It was out of character for her. She never lashes out at people. She has never been in a fight or in trouble with the police before.
"This is not someone who takes this as water off a duck's back, being arrested by police has had a significant impact on her."
Jowett of Merril Way, Derby, pleaded guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of criminal damage.
She was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £240 in compensation.
Speaking about the case, Ian Wigley, chairman of the Derby Area Taxi Association, praised Derbyshire Live for highlighting this case.
He said: "It is never acceptable to act in this way. The driver is just doing their job.
"It is an occupational hazard, there is a chance things like this can happen but it is something you don't expect to happen.
"I'm glad the court and police have taken this seriously, I am glad that this has got to court and is being highlighted by Derbyshire Live and hopefully it will stop people from acting in this way.
"The majority of people I have come across in my 30 years as a taxi driver have been great.
"We want to get the message out there to people that taxi drivers are not fodder and do not deserve to be treated in this way."
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