Boozy foul-mouthed cleaner punched taxi driver after Mother's Day bash - and refused to pay £13 farehttps://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... r-23741751
A boozed-up mum who made off without paying a £13 taxi fare before punching the driver, assaulting two police officers and hurling abuse from her upstairs window.
After spending the afternoon drinking with family and friends in an early Mother's Day celebration, Armani Nicholson hopped in a taxi from Darlington to her home in Middleton St George. The 32-year-old then made off without paying the £13 fare and when the driver confronted her she punched in him the chest three times.
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard how the mum started shouting abuse at the taxi driver and attending police officers from her window as people walked past her home on the early evening of March 26. Officers were able to gain access to her house and Nicholson was arrested - and in the process she assaulted one of the police officers.
She continued to be abusive and assaulted another officer when she kicked out while being asked to change into a anti-ligature clothing for her own safety. At the earliest opportunity, Nicolson, of Yarm Road, admitted two counts of assaulting a police officer, one of common assault, one of making off without payment and one of using threatening and abusive language to cause harm, alarm of distress.
The court heard that Nicholson continued to hurl abuse from inside her home. John Garside, prosecuting, said: "She then shouted words to the effect of 'get out of my garden you freak'.
"The defendant had been shouting abusive language from her upstairs window into the street. She was shouting "f*** off".
Victim impact statements were read out from the taxi driver and the two officers. The court heard how all three victims did not suffer any physical injuries during the incident.
"[The taxi driver] describes how it was a waste of his time - not only having the loss of money from the fare but loss of potential earnings for that evening. He says he has lost trust in people and fears this will continue to happen," added Mr Garside.
One officer's statement outlined said how he "doesn't come to work to be assaulted" and highlights how they "attended after she called for help only to hurl abuse at me". While the other said how she feels "very let down by today's society and the incident has left her feeling that members of the public have little respect for the police."
The court heard how Nicholson, who is a single mum works four days a week as a cleaner, had gone out to enjoy herself but made a "serious error in judgement" in drinking. The mum-of-one is on antidepressants, and combined with the alcohol she had drank, says she had very little recollection of the incident.
Nick Musgrove, mitigating, said: "If the police officer has formed the view that she is someone who thinks she can do and get away with what she wants that is not the case. She has fully accepted that her behaviour was very poor on that night.
"She pleaded guilty and the first opportunity and I think that does show there is genuine remorse. Although she is not of good character, she doesn't have anything for assault. She is not someone who is prone to this sort of behaviour."
The court heard how having relied on the police in the past she was "ashamed" that she had acted in such a way. Magistrates warned Nicholson that they had considered whether or not to impose a custodial sentence.
The 32-year-old was ordered to pay compensation of £13 for the taxi fare as well as £100 to each victim. She is also subject to a two week curfew and must not leave her home between 8pm and 6am.
Login
Register
FAQ
